Recent Comments:
Chicago '08 Preview: 2009 Hyundai Sonata {Autoblog}
Feb 3rd 2008 10:42AM Very Nicely Done. The competition with this class is truly formidable. I'm seriously thinking of buying one for my wife.
If you compare this car to the current Chrysler Sebring or Dodge Avenger, it shows how much Chrysler must stretch to remain in the game.
BMW's South Carolina plant to boost output, needs more workers {Autoblog}
Jan 7th 2008 8:09PM So the Germans are here to exploit cheap American labor. Who can support a family on $2K per month?
At the Daimler plant in Sindelfingen, Mercedes workers make $55 per hour. Their Union would not tolerate sub-standard wages. I'm sure BMW pays the same in Munich.
And I thought we won the war.
Detroit 2008: Ford Explorer America Concept says bye-bye to body-on-frame {Autoblog}
Jan 6th 2008 9:57AM I do like the sliding door for passenger access.
Detroit 2008: Ford launches EcoBoost gas turbo direct injection engines {Autoblog}
Jan 6th 2008 9:54AM So for a marginal boost to efficiency we need to add an ultra high pressure fuel pump, and a turbo. That adds significant cost and creates potentially expensive repairs.
I'd pass. I'll bet the fuel savings will never offset the cost.
VW's Winterkorn: "We want to be in 2010 where Toyota is now." {Autoblog}
Dec 10th 2007 10:39AM This is just typical German Hubris, i.e. overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors.
This guy is parroting his Boss.
The reality is that with bottom-feeder quality, a soaring Euro, and a world about to slip into recession, VW will be lucky if it can just stay in its place.
Ford crashes new Focus, results "Good" {Autoblog}
Oct 19th 2007 12:01PM Ford already has a great car in this segment, It's called the Mazda-3
Instead of Focus, why not just "focus" on selling more Mazdas?
Brand new VW R32 catches on fire {Autoblog}
Oct 19th 2007 11:52AM Hey, it's not too bad. I'm sure they can buff it out!
In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Ford Taurus Limited AWD {Autoblog}
Oct 15th 2007 1:22PM The car looks fine; I just wonder about its reliability. I'll never forget being stranded in a rental Taurus with a failed fuel pump in about 1997. The Hertz guy who rescued me said it was the fifth one that day!
Problem with Ford and the other American car companies is that customers never forget. Once they buy a Honda or a Toyota, they never return.
Chrysler recalling Sebring and Avenger yet again {Autoblog}
Oct 6th 2007 10:05AM This car and its variants "developed" exemplify how far Chrysler fell while under strict control from Daimler. It is a clear example of design for cost control without regard to being competitive within its segment. Its truly amazing that it compares poorly with a 5 year old Accord. They could have just copied Honda.
The problem is that the customer doesn't give a damn about your cost control problem; he cares only about his own problem.
Cerebrus needs to cut its losses short and bury this product. The market has already voted.
Google says automotive "sales funnel" no longer true {Autoblog}
Sep 22nd 2007 6:10PM No way to generalize on this one. Most cars ~90% are bought off the dealer's lot, so many sales must be impulsive.
But I knew one friend, after his girlfriend totaled his car, spent a whole year trying to decide on a new car while he rode a bike. He was paralyzed by too much choice.
As for me, I try to narrow it down, then rent the car I'm considering before I buy. I've always ordered from the factory to get exactly what I want, but I keep cars a minimum of 12 years.
