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The Fifty-Year-Old Urge to Compete

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 6 октября 2009 г.

You may remember my friend LG—the guy I chided here for driving his Audi S4, now an S5, like a fixated hypermiler. Well, he and I go back a long way, some 50 years: We were both in grad school, and I helped crew in some of his SCCA meets. Anyway, he wanted to set the record straight about his driving techniques.

First, I employ few of the techniques practiced by the hybrid-driving lunatic described in yr blog. Essentially I always try to minimize the effects of inertia while not interfering w/ following traffic. This doesn’t amount to much more than (a) braking as little as possible, (b) getting into 5th or 6th gear as soon as feasible and staying there as long as possible (with the sophisticated refinements of current fuel injection, lugging isn’t a problem), (c) only speeding downhill, and (d) coasting through isolated or empty stop signs in 2nd or 3rd gear (the only tickets I’ve gotten in several years were for this maneuver).
My first race car was a used Austin-Healy Sprite. (I could almost run faster than it.) I took the SCCA competition license course at Wilmot, the little track cum ski resort across the state line in Wisconsin. The first year I raced there & at Meadowdale Raceway, I think, west of Chicago. I was a cautious if not cowardly driver that first season, & I remember being nerfed from behind in one race, by the class leader, Bob Somebody, as he lapped me coming around a corner. But I had one of the classier rigs at the track: a VW van to tow the Sprite on a custom-made trailer, and my friend’s Morgan as a chase car—all of them painted white w/ orange stripes & trim.
The second season I graduated to a Triumph TR3 that I bought from my friend Brooks Johnson, the sprinter, jazz promoter & U. of Chicago law school dropout (Si Hersh was his dropout classmate), and which I spent a long winter tearing down to its frame and then rebuilding for racing. All the clever trick work was done in our garage on 54th St. by Jim Hartman, who, a year later, took an identical TR3 to Road America and, eschewing belts or a harness because he had read that Stirling Moss disdained them, killed himself in a rollover on turn 11.
I don’t practice “hypermiling” out of any devotion to the environment (though I’m as Green as yr average sustainable citizen), or to save gas money (though I’m as close to insolvency as most American debtors), but only because I became transfixed by the mileage readout on my 2001 S4, and raising the numbers became a new expression of my congenital competitive instincts.
Yes, my driving style in the Audi S4 could hardly have been more extreme. My obsessive-compulsive capacities just overcame me, and squeezing another 1/10th of an mpg out of the display became the dominant purpose of my mobile life. But, the S5 has loosened me up. One example: In my regular 10-mile drive every day in Marin County, CA, I get on 101 at the bottom of a steep grade and I can’t resist standing on 360 hp and running through 6 gears as I drift over to the fast lane on my quick way to 90/100 mph (for an instant). So far none of the other Hot Wheels at that time & place have challenged me.
As for the 50 years, I’m aware of some diminution of my reflexes & I’m more cautious making certain moves, such as quickly changing lanes in traffic. Some of the ergonomics of the S5 are awkward, such as the large mirrors on the A pillars which obstruct my vision on certain turns, and I wonder if I would have been as distracted & irritated when I was younger. But the car seems very forgiving, the Quattro is super, and I can’t resist an occasional blast.

Is driving (for some of us) really all about competition? Leave us a comment.

—jgoods

Not a Band-Aid, a Transfusion

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 3 октября 2009 г.

Tgriffith makes three worthwhile points: 1. Mr. Bush did a complete flip-flop on the bankruptcy idea. In fact, he’s done several during the last two months. 2. The problem now is that the industry has only 90 days to “get viable.” 3. Bush in fact has kicked the reorganization can down the road to Obama.

Mrs. Henry Paulson Giving Transfusion to Happy GM Employee

But none of these points tells the real story. The whole mess started months ago and the real question is whether we are going to punish the companies and the UAW or help them get back on their feet. Do we want a “viable” (whatever the hell that means) U.S. auto industry or to watch them not only bleed to death but infect the rest of the economy through their demise—like the old Typhoid Mary story. Most every respected economist agrees that the standard Ch. 11 bankruptcy would be lengthy, very risky, with unknown and costly consequences, possibly triggering a Depression.

So what the bailout does, finally, is “manage” the bankruptcy and consequent reorganization, giving the companies a chance to do their restructuring without filing for bankruptcy or going through a protracted and messy liquidation. And that’s the only right way to do it. All those free-traders and defenders of instant bankruptcy and the foreign transplants want is to see their ideology triumph, kill the union, and permit the transplants to set wages and terms for the whole industry.

We are in the economic mess we’re in because of such people and the willingness of Chrysler and GM Boards to do nothing while their companies took the road of easy profit instead of thinking about where their businesses would be in 10 years. Yet I’m not willing to lay the entire blame on them for building dopey cars and not leading their market to reform itself. You tell me how to sell small fuel-efficient cars to the masses when gas is cheap.

Sure, it was easier to sell trucks and SUVs. Sure, the UAW got greedy. So did Wall Street and the banks. Their myopic greed (plus the administration’s total lack of oversight and blind commitment to laissez-faire policies) produced the current horrendous crisis that finally brought the auto companies to their knees. The companies need support, new blood and, most of all, time. I hope they have enough, and I hope the Obama team will help them, not spit on them.

You don’t shoot the horse you are riding.

Here’s your chance to vote on the bailout: Was it a necessary evil? Or just evil? Hit the comment line and tell us.

—jgoods

Government Bails Out for the Holidays

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 30 сентября 2009 г.

Let’s see: So far the administration has committed some $350 billion to the banks, and credit has loosened not at all. The auto bailout bill went down, principally because some GOP senators moved to bust the UAW. Bernie Madoff got away with some $50 billion from private investors, including a number of charities, because the regulators weren’t watching. Mr. Bush is still stalling on his promise to help Chrysler and GM.

ford-plant1 Meanwhile, Rome is burning. In announcing its longer-than-usual holiday shutdown (at least a month, maybe more), Chrysler said that buyers’ inability to secure loans was responsible for 20-25% of its lost sales. GM is closing 20 North American factories temporarily; Ford is shutting down 10. Demand is plummeting for all cars, including Honda and Toyota.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.

The NY Times reports today that the administration is still in serious negotiations with Chrysler and GM and cites difficulties in getting access to the $700 billion in TARP funds while blaming Congress for the delay in providing auto bailout money. Bush says he will make a decision “relatively soon.” Talks reportedly center on the prepackaged bankruptcy concept, with all parties making concessions.

Well, that would be a Christmas gift of sorts to everybody. We’ll let you know when and if it happens.

Are you as angry about the delays as we are? Leave a comment or a rant or a holiday greeting.

—jgoods

Hypermilers: Smart People or Manic Morons?

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 26 сентября 2009 г.

I have a friend who drives his Audi S5 like Wayne Gerdes drives his Honda Insight. This I found particularly strange since LG used to make a practice of driving mountain roads like a madman. Then what the hell did he want an S5 for, you may wonder. LG has owned a lot of high-performance cars over the years but now gets his kicks from watching the fuel consumption display (FCD). So, apparently, do a lot of people.

Wayne Gerdes, if you’re not aware, is probably the world champ hypermiler, and he uses techniques like going 50 mph with his right tire on the white line, drafting trucks with the engine off, coasting wherever possible, no A/C, no windows open, no braking, etc. And of course he constantly monitors his progress on the FCD.

Now we’re going to get something even better than the FCD, as Ford and Honda will be offering (in the spring) techy green gauges to give instant feedback on your driving style as well as the usual mpg information. Honda’s EcoAssist display, to be available on the Insight, can even adjust transmission and engine speeds for max efficiency. Ford’s SmartGauge, for the Fusion Hybrid, tracks coolant temperature, driving efficiency and has a vine with leaves that wilt if you drive too fast or furiously.

The case for hypermiling is pretty obvious, even with declining gas prices. You can get at least a 35% increase in fuel economy by simply practicing these techniques: recording your gas mileage, braking less, turning off the engine at long red lights, keeping your distance to counter traffic jams, and accelerating slowly, using cruise control. The idea is to keep aware of traffic and anticipate conditions. See more suggestions here.

Well, what’s wrong with this picture? If everyone drove like this, we could be off foreign oil, traffic deaths would plummet, the planet would be saved. But we don’t drive like this, as the author of the Wayne Gerdes piece found:

Two nights earlier, on a clammy 80-degree Chicago evening, I wait for Wayne at the curb at O’Hare International Airport. I first see his technique as the car he’s driving, a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, pulls over to pick me up. Drifts over, actually, like a jellyfish. Around Wayne is madness in motion: Drivers in four lanes are accelerating hard, weaving erratically, or grinding to a halt. To Wayne, these are the driving habits of the ignorant and the wasteful—which is to say, nearly all of us. Wayne’s car glides to a stop as if it has run out of gas. Wayne has stopped without braking.

Many, including yours truly, feel that such driving creates nothing but hazard for the rest of us, not to mention the driver. Here’s a description of how Wayne exits the freeway:

“Buckle up tight, because this is the death turn,” says Wayne. Death turn? We’re moving at 50 mph. Wayne turns off the engine. He’s bearing down on the exit, and as he turns the wheel sharply to the right, the tires squeal—which is what happens when you take a 25 mph turn going 50. Cathy, Terry’s wife, who is sitting next to me in the backseat, grabs my leg. I grab the door handle. As we come out of the 270-degree turn, Cathy says, “I hope you have upholstery cleaner.”

I guess there’s a middle way in all this, and not all hypermilers, including my friend LG, are as manic about the practice as Wayne. But I doubt that high-tech gauges are going to civilize anybody.

Hypermiling on the public roads is madness. Do you agree? Leave us a comment.

–jgoods

What are the best and worst cars produced by the Big 3?

Автор: RaymondLilly | четверг, 10 сентября 2009 г.

Hey, it's reliable, comfortable and practical!

There’s an interesting topic floating around in the blog-o-sphere regarding the best and worst cars Ford, GM and Chrysler have ever produced.

While hearing comments on Corvettes, Mustangs, Pintos and Chevettes might be mildly interesting, I think it would be WAY more interesting to hear what the best and worst cars are from the last 5 years.

I’m not just talking the ugliest or sexiest, but overall best and worst vehicles the Big 3 have produced since the 2003 model year.

Some of the best that come to my mind are the new Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu… heck I’ll even give props to the Caravan. Some that might be on my worst list might be the Ford Escort, Chrysler Sebring and the fifth generation Pontiac Grand Am.

I’ll wait to build an official list though until the brilliance of the CarGurus community shines through and shares their thoughts…It’ll be interesting to see what models are mentioned the most often!

What do you think are the best & worst cars introduced by the U.S.’s Big Three automakers since 2003?

-tgriffith

Is there only room for a Big 2?

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 9 сентября 2009 г.

Maybe if they just built less of these...

How many vehicle models would you guess are produced by Ford, Chrysler and GM for the 2008 model year?

Take a moment and think about it… I’m talking all of Ford’s offerings, Chrysler’s stable including Jeep and Dodge, and all of GM’s brands that are sold in the U.S.

If you guessed 94 different models across all of their brands, congratulations!

But here’s the part that really shocked me: Over 60% of those are trucks, SUVs or vans. Is it any wonder why U.S. automakers are collapsing?

I can’t figure out why it’s literally taking an act of Congress to figure out the problem here and how to solve it. Instead of congressional hearings and talk of spending $35 billion, let’s just whittle down the combined product offerings to about half the current levels. We’ll still offer trucks and SUVs, just less of them while increasing our supply of more economical vehicles.

Sure that probably means there’s only room for a Big 2, but I don’t see a problem with sending Chrysler to the liquidation aisles. GM can shed Saab and Saturn along with the problematic Envoy and Trailblazer without too many tears being shed. Ford can start with dumping the Explorer and Expedition.

Ford and GM would then be free to continue down the path of restructuring. They’ll produce significantly less F-150s and Tahoes while ramping up the production on Fiestas, Volts and Malibus.

In the end we’d have two strong, lean and competitive companies leading the United States into the new era of vehicle production.

What do you think: Is there room for three auto manufacturers in the new U.S. economy?

-tgriffith

The official GM death watch

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Is GM totaled?

The outlook for GM got a little bleaker yesterday, as the company reported their sales plummeted 41% in November. In addition, they officially asked the government for $12 billion, saying that’s how much they need to survive.

Part of their restructuring plan is to sell Saab and Hummer while possibly killing Saturn and scaling back Pontiac. GM also proposes executive pay cuts while their CEO says he will work for a symbolic $1 per year.

Ford meanwhile announced they may not need a bailout, expecting to have enough money to make it through next year without government help. They said they have a plan to break even or even turn a profit in 2011.

These are the facts that spurred me to begin an official GM death watch, as Ford is showing signs of confidence and recovery while GM continues to bend under pressure but has yet to break.

Now, it’s up to the government to decide whether or not General Motors surives.

Do you care if GM lives on?

-tgriffith

Here are the cars the U.S. should’ve been building for years!

Автор: RaymondLilly | понедельник, 7 сентября 2009 г.

Ford, GM and Chrysler have been getting a lot of bad press lately. While much of it is deserved, there are some high points coming out of Detroit that we should all be thankful for. Here are some of the best cars coming out of American right now.

Ford Fusion

Not since the Taurus was introduced has Ford had a real turning point in the mid-size sedan segment. With the Fusion, Ford offers plenty of legroom, pleasant driving dynamics and a unique exterior that actually makes a statement. And get this: the Fusion is priced lower than other class leaders with prices starting under $20,000. Just the kind of car a struggling automaker needs!

Ford Fiesta

While it won’t be introduced in the States until 2010 or 2011, this is Ford’s evolution into the global market. The compact Fiesta brings big-car features to the small-car segment, offering a stronger, safer, more fun to drive small car than an American company has ever produced. Question is, is this car coming too late for Ford? This car could be the game changer!

Chevy Malibu

Honda perfected the efficient and reliable sedan in the 1980s. It took GM until the early 2000s. Well, 20 years late is better than nothing. With the new Malibu, fuel efficiency, performance and a long list of standard amenities come wrapped in a design that GM says carries the new face of Chevrolet. It features a precise build quality and refined driving dynamics along with a standard 169-horsepower 2.4L four-cylinder engine that delivers 30 mpg on the highway. Even if this car was 10 years earlier to the party, maybe GM wouldn’t be on the verge of collapse today.

Saturn Outlook

In GM’s history of building overly truckish SUVs, the Saturn Outlook is proof that someone in GM corporate finally caught wind that buyers weren’t looking for that anymore. The Outlook is the result of a valiant effort to package eight-passenger seating, real cargo capacity and a pleasant driving experience into the skin of one hot SUV.

Cadillac CTS

I won’t try to top what Motor Trend said about this car: “If you were one of those who wrote off General Motors as a dying dinosaur — after all, it’s been a decade since any GM car took home the Golden Calipers (the Chevrolet Corvette won back in 1998) — prepare to rewrite everything you think you know about what’s in the General’s store. With this bold, savvy, uncompromising showpiece of a sedan — the all-new Cadillac CTS — GM has leapt straight from the rabble’s side of the velvet rope into that coveted, highly selective inner sanctum marked “World’s Finest Cars.” For that remarkable achievement, and for making us grin like lottery winners every time we drove it, the CTS is our enthusiastic choice for Motor Trend’s 2008 Car of the Year.”

Is this list missing your favorite American made car? Add it in the comment section below!

-tgriffith

A reader responds

Автор: RaymondLilly | четверг, 27 августа 2009 г.

The U.S. really can't complain

I want to respond to a comment left about a recent blog.

In that blog, I said that since U.S. gas prices are going down so much, I’m second-guessing my commitment to breaking our addiction to oil. Here’s the comment I want to address:

“Feel lucky that you are not paying the prices around Britain, as you wouldn’t be able to run your car. Based on your 11 gallon car, you would have to pay approx $71 at the current price of fuel over here to fill your car. Maybe you shouldn’t complain so much about the price of fuel as you have it a lot better than most other western countries around the world, and we are all struggling too.”

OK, point taken. I understand that fuel prices in Britain are MUCH higher than in the U.S., even when U.S. prices were near $5 per gallon. We’ve been spoiled on this side of the Atlantic for years, and I’m sure those in Britian and across Europe were thrilled to watch us go into panic mode as our prices skyrocketed. Now that our prices are headed south again, I’d imagine there’s a little jealousy that their prices remain high.

To the person who wrote the comment, and to everyone in Europe: Yes, our fuel prices are lower than yours. But at least your prices have fueled a stable and even enviable auto industry, while our prices have led to the likely demise of ours. You have Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari… should I keep going? We have Chrysler.

What do you have to say about that?

-tgriffith

Why we shouldn’t feel bad for U.S. automakers

Автор: RaymondLilly |

The Associated Press yesterday released a story about U.S. automakers facing disaster after 30 years of ‘denial.’

The quick point of the story: Honda and Toyota slowly eroded market share of efficient, reliable cars since the early 1980s. In the 1990s, gas was cheap and Ford, GM and Chrysler were making a killing selling high-profit trucks and SUVs, never stopping to consider what would happen should gas prices rise.

Plus, because of union agreements, labor costs were outrageous and there was no way to make a profit selling small cars. The small car market was ceded to the Japanese, then the Koreans, but life was still great because of America’s love affair with trucks.

Then the economy collapsed and gas prices skyrocketed. Now the U.S. automakers face near certain bankruptcy and executives are whining about how the government won’t help them.

But why should they be bailed out? They all made the choice to follow the money and ignore the possibility of fuel prices catching up with the rest of the world. The consequences of that greed are now becoming evident.

I don’t argue that a strong automotive sector isn’t important to a vibrant domestic economy. I just believe that the industry needs to suffer it’s consequences then find a way to rebuild; without the help of the U.S. government.

Even a recent Cargurus.com survey of over 8,000 auto enthusiasts found that a majority of them are against a federal bailout of the auto industry.

The price of denial can be high… and this case could even lead to bankruptcy.

What do you think? Did U.S. automakers cause the mess they’re in?

-tgriffith

Is there such thing as an 8-speed transmission?

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 25 августа 2009 г.

The Genesis may be a candidate for Hyundai's new transmission

The Genesis may be a candidate for Hyundai's new 8-speed transmission

No one can argue that the best way to save fuel is to build cars that use less of it.

The first function of fuel economy is weight: the lighter the car the higher the MPG.

The second function is RPM. The more an engine revolves per minute, the lower the MPG the car achieves.

Since there’s a limit to how light a car can be, I’ve always wondered why cars didn’t have an extra gear or two for highway speeds. At 70 MPH, my 5-speed manual Suzuki SX4 gets about 25 MPG. Why not have a sixth gear so I could decrease the engine speed and achieve 30+ MPG? Sure seems like I could save a lot of gas cruising the highway at 2000 RPMs rather than 4000.

Enter Hyundai.

The Korean car company has recently announced the production of an 8-speed automatic transmission, for introduction in 2010. Designed to maximize engine torque and improve fuel efficiency, vehicles equipped with this tranny should see a dramatic improvement of highway MPG ratings.

I believe technology such as this is the immediate answer to decreasing our use of oil, and applaud Hyundai for their forward thinking.

What makes the most sense to you: efficient gas-powered cars or hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles?

-tgriffith

Here are the Top 5 concept cars

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 18 августа 2009 г.

Here’s what I love about concept cars: They’re the cars auto engineers would create if they weren’t limited by feasability. The designs and features they come up with can be so far fetched that they never come close to reality, or they can spark new innovation in the way cars are built.

This year’s auto shows have showcased dozens of concepts. Here are my top 5, a mix of near-production ready vehicles and futuristic technology that seems out of this world.

Peugeot RC HYmotion4

The car uses a 70-kilowatt electric motor up front and a 1.6-liter gas engine in the rear, producing a total of 313 horsepower. The cool thing here is that the car can be driven electric-only, gas-only, or with gas and electric power. Peugeot claims 52 mpg.

Nissan Nuvu

Assuming city-dwellers will gravitate towards small electric cars, Nissan gives us a look at the Nuvu concept. It has only one seat on the driver’s side and a front and rear seat on the passenger side. But here’s why it made my list: solar panels help charge the batteries. Here’s to harnessing our planet’s natural resources!

Mini Crossover

Perhaps the most likely car to go into production, this mini manages to keep its iconic looks while upsizing to a more family-ready version. Cool!

Toyota A-BAT

It’s a compact truck that is where the Tacoma would be if it hadn’t gone full-size on us. Plus, it’s a hybrid, can seat 4 and offers plenty of innovative cargo hauling abilities. Nevermind that it looks like a Honda Ridgeline.

BMW GINA

This is a quote from Motor Trend: “The surface of the concept features a new fabric material that BMW says is highly resistant to expansion, durable, and flexible. Underneath the covering material is a light aluminum subframe that is moveable via electric and hydraulic controls, allowing the surface itself to be reshaped according to the owner’s desire.” Whoa. That’s just awesome.

Have you seen any concepts on the auto show rounds that excite you?

-tgriffith

The 10 sexiest sports cars of all time

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Sports cars are without doubt potent sex symbols. Whether they are featured in James Bond movies, accompanied by bikini models on the covers of magazines or simply remain the objects of our dreams, the lure of a sexy sports car is undeniable.

But what makes a car sexy? Like all things, that’s for people to decide on their own. But few can resist the smooth lines, the pure confidence, the absolute power and the perfectly sculpted bodies of these: the 10 sexiest sports cars of all time.

1961 Jaguar E Type

I normally prefer cars from closer to my own generation, but in this case I can respect a true classic of British elegance. This car was a good 10 years ahead of its time in terms of design.

1962-1964 Ferrari 250 GTO

Perhaps Ferarri took a page out of Jaguar’s successful design book, but regardless produced an automobile worthy of eternal enshrinement.

2005 Pagani Zonda

I have a thing for exotic Italians. While this girl may be a little top heavy, even for me, I’m still left speechless at her ‘I’m ready to launch my passengers into orbit’ looks.

2002 Ferarri Enzo

The Enzo is one of those girls with a stunning body but has a nose that’s too big for her face. In the right light though, that doesn’t matter.

1992-1998 McLaren F1

Equally exotic as the Pagani, this isn’t a car that will slowly seduce you. It’ll either have its way with you or send you running knowing you can’t handle it.

2008 Audi R8

Maybe this Audi made the list simply because she’s the youngest of the bunch, but with those eyes and a killer body, who’s gonna turn her down?

2007 Aston Martin Vanquish

Sleek, sexy and perfectly proportioned. This is a car has a flawless body, but doesn’t flaunt it. It’s her confidence that makes her sexy.

2007 Jaguar XKR

What? The sexy Vanquish has a cousin? I’m in!

2008 Aston Martin DB9

You’re kidding, the Vanquish has an even sexier younger sister!? Seems too good to be true!

2005 Porsche Carrera GT

The Carrera can deliver an amazing night, and I’d wake up the next morning excited to see her face. This is a car I could live with for the rest of my life, and there’s nothing sexier than that.

Did I omit anything obvious? Anything you would not have included on this list?

-tgriffith

Give it up, Ford and GM

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 15 августа 2009 г.

Enough with putting off the inevitable, it’s time to get it over with. GM and Ford need to file for bankruptcy.

WHAT!? I can hear the anger rising in Michigan, with fears that the collapse of these giants will devastate the already troubled state. Of course, that all depends on your perspective.

The simple fact is this: The auto industry needs to change and bankruptcies will force that change. Yes, unemployment will rise, suppliers will go out of business and dealerships will dissolve.

Forgive me for lacking compassion, but I don’t care. I believe the official term is collateral damage. Over time things will get better and the people who lost their jobs will find new ones (or discover that they never really liked their jobs anyway).

If Ford or GM filed for bankruptcy they would probably ask for, and receive, the ability to sever both union contracts and dealer franchise agreements. That could lead to a restructuring of mammoth proportions, ultimately putting the US automakers in a much better position to compete on a worldwide level with the likes of Toyota.

We have to face the reality of these times. The credit crunch has stalled car sales, made it virtually impossible for GM and Ford to borrow money and plunged their stock prices. In fact, Ford stock closed yesterday at $2.18. Yeah, buying a latte will now set you back more than buying a piece of Ford. Take that in your espresso shot and chug it.

Here’s another dose of reality: The maker of Hot Wheels is worth more than GM. Would you ever have guessed that a maker of toy cars could be worth more than the largest car company in the world?

If that’s not reason to give it up and start over, I don’t know what is.

What do you think? Is it time Ford and GM reached Chapter 11?

-tgriffith

Which car companies posted gains in September?

Автор: RaymondLilly | понедельник, 10 августа 2009 г.

Maserati's U.S. sales increased in September

“It’s like post 9/11.”

“It’s tantamount to a natural disaster, really.”

Believe it or not, these are quotes in the Los Angeles Times concerning the state of auto sales. I find it appalling that a lack of sales could be compared to tragedies, but then again I’m not the one trying to sell cars.

In September there were only two car manufacturers who posted U.S. gains: Maserati and Bentley. Even Honda, who normally weathers these types of slowdowns with slight gains, was down 24% from last year. And that’s considered a small decline of the major automakers: Ford declined nearly 34%. Nissan was down almost 37%. Toyota was off by 32%. Chrysler’s downturn was 33%. Believe it or not, GM is the one that gets to celebrate, slipping ‘only’ 15% last month.

Obviously, consumers are keeping a tight grasp on their wallets. Even if they wanted to buy, dealerships are reporting that banks are only giving loans to people with the highest credit ratings. People can’t even skirt around the banks by leasing… some manufactures aren’t even offering leases anymore (Chrysler gave it up in August).

Car makers are dealing with an incredible convergence of events: high gas prices, a sinking economy, the crumbling of available credit and increasing costs of production.

It’s evident that the car makers at the high end of the price scale will be fine, since gas prices and credit availability aren’t major issues for buyers. Honda and Toyota will emerge without major injury because of their competencies at building economical cars efficiently, and because of their solid financial strategies of the past.

Things will get tougher for Ford and Chrysler who have specialized in high profit trucks and SUVs for so many years. For them, a major back-to-the-drawing board strategy had better take effect, and fast.

I’d include GM in that group, but somehow they’ve managed to perform a September miracle.

I want to know: Will GM continue to lead the pack with the smallest declines in October?

-tgriffith

Do you know what your car’s ‘face’ says about you?

Автор: RaymondLilly | четверг, 6 августа 2009 г.

An Austrian anthropologist recently released a study on what features we find most appealing on our cars’ faces.

As you might assume, the study is intended to give auto designers a peek into the heads of Mr. and Mrs. Consumer. While a study can tell us what kind of face we prefer on our cars, it can’t tell us what a car’s face says about the driver.

That’s why I’m here. Behold:

1. The Angry Face.

The above-mentioned survey concluded that ‘angry’ faces, like on a BMW, topped the list of attractive traits. The further the stock market slides, the angrier these owners are.

2. The Startled Face.

The Mini Cooper always looks surprised to be where it is. Especially when it ends up at Costco and the driver needs to load in a weeks’ worth of groceries.

3. The Sad Face.

Some cars try to look luxurious, but end up looking like the sad kitten from Shrek. Owners of this droopy-lidded Jag are sad they didn’t wait for the newly introduced XF.

4. The Aggressive Face.

Designers were going for a look that demands authority of the road. What they got were owners who demand authority of themselves, and need a car to suit the image.

5. The Happy Face.

When a car smiles at you, you just have to smile back. Even when the driver is applying lipstick, talking on her cell phone and sipping a non-fat caramel macchiato.

6. The Confused Face.

“Are we designing a tug boat or a car? Oh an SUV? OK, well this should still work.” Luckily the owners get to sit behind this car’s face, and drive in a state of blissful unawareness as the rest of us just shake our heads.

What does your car’s face say about you?

-tgriffith

What does Toyota’s 0% offer really mean?

Автор: RaymondLilly | воскресенье, 2 августа 2009 г.

Trouble for Toyota?

I’m confused. I thought the economic downturn meant the end of easy credit and low financing as a sales incentive.

Yet here’s Toyota doing the unprecedented: a nationwide offer of 0% financing. We’re not talking just on V8 trucks and SUVs either, but on 11 of Toyota’s best selling, fuel efficient models including Camry, Corolla and Matrix.

Toyota is hoping to the high heavens that this action causes you to forget about the economy and gets you excited about a new Toyota. After all, excitement can cause your emotions to take over and before you know it, you’ve got new car smell seeping into your garage.

To me though, the fact that Toyota is even making this offer is a major red flag. Granted, it’s a show of strength in Toyota’s traditionally conservative financing arm, but they wouldn’t be making this offer unless they were hurting, and big time. A check of their September 2008 sales confirms it: a decrease of 32% from a year ago. Yup, that’s reason to panic!

Interest-free financing sounds great in TV ads and is an effective buying tool for some people. Seriously though, if you can’t afford a car at 6% interest, you can’t afford one at 0%; especially when the offer’s terms only stretch 36 months.

That’s when you get home and wonder if that wonderful scent of a new Corolla is worth $600 per month.

Toyota wants you to believe that everything’s fine, but the business of selling cars is changing and this latest incentive is only another piece of evidence to support that claim.

I want your opinion about this: will you consider taking Toyota up on their offer?

-tgriffith

The 10 ugliest cars in modern America

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 28 июля 2009 г.

Look at any other list of ugly cars and you’ll see a host of the usual Gremlins, Pintos, Pacers and Corvairs. Not here! Oh no friends, those cars could even be classified by today’s standards as trendy and retro-cool.

So what are the 10 absolute ugliest cars America has seen since the days of the Gremlin?

Feast on these horrors of auto design:

2001 Pontiac Aztec:

Before this list is over, Pontiac will own 30% of the mentions. Don’t you love US auto design? Go team! The homegrown Aztec looks like a lunar lander. And a poorly designed one at that.

1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCross:

I’m pretty sure something went wrong at the assembly plant because it looks like this car missed a few steps and shipped out before it was finished.

2003-2006 Subaru Baja:

What happened? The team at Subaru must’ve taken a company retreat into the 70s and emerged thinking a cross between a car and a pickup would be a good idea. It never was. It never will be.

2007-2008 Jeep Compass:

It looks like Benjamin Franklin: A round spectacled face and odd proportions all around.

1985-1994 Chevy Astro:

Unless you think driving a tool box is cool. Then the Astro belongs on the 10 coolest cars of all time list.

2005-2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser convertible:

I’m reminded of an amusement park ride where you sit in the log and go over a waterfall. The PT Cruiser convertible is the log.

2005-2007 Buick Terraza / Chevy Uplander / Pontiac Montana:

The snout! Look at the snout! GM didn’t just treat us to one of these piggy little things, they brought the design across 3 brands! I wonder why GM is losing money? Weird.

1990-1996 Pontiac Transport:

Not only does the absurdly long nose make it look like a door stop, I’ve personally known two of these vans that have spontaneously combusted. And looked BETTER after the flames were extinguished.

2006-2009 Mercedes R Class:

What is it? A mini van? An SUV? Oh wait, I know. It’s for old folks who want Mercedes’ version of a Transport but with less chance of fire.

2002-2007 Bentley Arnage:

Yeah, I’m saying it. This Bentley is proof that even a $350,000 car can’t outrun the ugly stick.

Think I missed something? Think there’s a car on this list that shouldn’t be? Let me hear it!

-tgriffith

Let’s change the driving age to 18!

Автор: RaymondLilly | вторник, 14 июля 2009 г.

I was a horrible driver when I was 16.

Looking back I’m grateful that I never got in, or caused, a serious accident. I easily could have because I ALWAYS accelerated too fast, tried to beat read lights, ignored stop signs and wouldn’t even let other drivers change lanes in front of me.

In my mind, the road was MINE and I was going to beat the pants off everyone who challenged me. The fact is, the only people actually challenging me were other 16-year-olds.

Of course I never thought about the possibility of getting in an accident. I was too good of a driver for that and knew I could avoid any collisions (not counting the half dozen or so parked cars I hit back then.)

Now that I’ve grown up a little, I can respect the freedoms teenagers need. But I now believe driving shouldn’t be among them. Kids are too cocky and feel too indestructible to trust them behind the wheel of 3,000 pounds of steel.

That’s why I would love to see this country adopt a nationwide 18-year-old driving age.

At first I thought 21 would be an ideal age, but then talked myself out of it because nothing good can come from a kid being able to legally drink AND legally drive on the same day.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the crash rate per mile driven is twice as high for 16 year-olds as it is for 18-19 year-olds. And most of the fatalities are single-car accidents caused by driving errors or speeding.

Sixteen is simply too young to shoulder the responsibility of driving safely and too often results in death. Two years of maturity will save a lot lives.

Even with all this being said, America is a car-loving nation. Citizens may not embrace this change because it would mean driving their kids around for a few more years.

What do you think: Would you support a nationwide change to make the driving age 18?

-tgriffith

Choosing a president by his… car?

Автор: RaymondLilly |

2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

I judge people by their cars.

I wouldn’t even put it past myself to pick a presidential candidate solely by the car (or cars) he drives.

So let’s get down to business.

John McCain:

I almost choked on my own judgment when I saw that the McCains own 13 cars. THIRTEEN. Yes, I know they are rich and, heck, I’d probably own 13 cars too if I had that kind of cash. But still, as a presidential candidate, I can’t believe that someone with the means to own, store, insure and maintain 13 cars can truly understand the pains of struggling to keep my Suzuki full of gas.

According to Newsweek, the McCains’ garage looks like this: A Cadillac CTS, a Volkswagen convertible, a Honda sedan, a Ford half-ton pickup, a 1960 Willys Jeep, a Jeep Wrangler, a Lincoln, a Lexus, a GMC SUV and an assortment of NEV GEM electric vehicles (they’re like golf carts that old folks like to drive around the retirement community).

Barack Obama:

According to Newsweek the Obamas own one car: a Hybrid Ford Escape. That certainly looks good on paper; though I’m sure the Hybrid choice was more political than personal. Still, I respect the single car choice and extend Obama a closed fist for a respectable knuckle bump.

So what about the VP candidates? Read on, my friends:

Sarah Palin:

You must keep in mind that Mrs. Palin is an Alaskan. I hear it snows up there. She also has kids to shuffle around and no doubt a load of sports equipment, shotguns and gubernatorial supplies to tote every where she goes. So, she drives a Chevy Suburban. I give her props for driving a vehicle to get the job done, but without the excess of a Navigator or Escalade. She’d get even more points if she had a Mini Cooper for those quick jaunts to the grocery store.

Joe Biden:

It seems that Mr. Biden is a little secretive on his car choices, which is a concern. What I did find is that he’s the proud owner of a 1967 Chevy Corvette. A true classic. I’m able to look past any of his secret cars and throw him my respect for his ability to know true automotive beauty.

So who gets my vote in this election? This is easy. For showing respect for the environment, a down-to-earth philosophy of owning a single car and a true flair for an American classic, I vote Obama/Biden for president.

Who gets your vote?

- tgriffith

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