Recent Comments:
IIHS studies effectiveness of roof strength: Surprise! It matters {Autoblog}
Mar 13th 2008 6:13PM What's really odd is that insurance companies charge more if you have a roll bar in a convertible - your odds of survival without said roll bar are zero.
Perhaps the IIHS calculated that it was cheaper to pay out life insurance than hospital bills for head & spinal trauma.
Forbes lists the best and worst states to own a car {Autoblog}
Feb 15th 2008 6:45PM So nice to see all the hidden taxes being exposed in the USA - no property taxes in cars in Canada - we just get ripped off in the pricing - least expensive Subaru lists at $30k plus vs 21,900 in USA
BTW: what's the South Carolina school system like ? Low taxes and no deficits = low expenses. My kids are worth more than any car ...
Geneva '08 Preview: Teaser images of Euro Honda Accord released {Autoblog}
Jan 23rd 2008 3:53PM Funny thing about wagons and the "US" market ...
Given the option, 30-40% of cars Candians will buy are wagons - and most are Euro wagons because there is no other choice.
And given the choice of diesel, 40% of Canadians wil choose diesel (that was the experience with VW TDI's)
The funny thing part is that the Canadian auto market is about the same size as California yet there is zero consideration given to our needs on the part of the Detroit 3. Only the Japanese and Europeans will occasionally bring in Canada specific models. And no diesels yet our fuel prices are 30% higher than the US.
As far as Detroit is concerned, Canada is the invisible 51st state - only good for inflated prices - typically 20-30% higher than in US.
With this attitude, is it any wonder that Detroit is losing market share ? The Japs & Euro's may not be much better but at least their cars are fuel efficient.
One way or another, my next car is diesel.
GM working to shrink its dealer network {Autoblog}
Jan 20th 2008 10:01PM If automakers can offer billions to buy-out workers, then why not dealers ? Only difference is that workers are an expense while excess dealerships is a cost.
Changing to 2 tier dealer levels is sensible - one has new cars & the other doesn't - just takes some old-fashioned palm grease.
Rendered Speculation: 2010 Ford Mustang {Autoblog}
Jan 18th 2008 6:48PM Don't laugh to much about the Mustang II - it sold a lot of cars - more than any of the late 60's models.
The original Stang was meant to be a secretary's car - as power went up in later years, sales went down. Who needs the high insurance cost ? Are you listening Ford ?
Designing for performance enthusiasts is sure way to financial oblivion.
Be nice to see a lean, mean fuel efficient machine - like the P51 it was named for. Current models look fat.
Spy Shots: Ford Flex-based crossover for Lincoln {Autoblog}
Jan 4th 2008 2:49PM Looks like a cow-catcher on a steam locomotive.
Moooo !
Speculation for 2008: Ford and Chrysler to merge? {Autoblog}
Dec 27th 2007 6:09PM The "financial types" aren't as bright as they would like us to think. Sub-prime mortagage anyone ? CDO ? Asset backed debt ? I worked at HFC 25 years and even a junior was trained to analyse the assets used as colleteral.
Either Cerberus didn't perform a proper due diligence or they don't understand the auto biz (or both) What are Chrysler's assets ?
A better marriage would be with Citroen/Peugeot. Great European product & but the brands are like lead ballons outside French speaking Quebec. Perform some minor cosmetic surgery for N.A. tastes et voila - Chrysler has some contemporary product to sell. (Contemporary = fuel efficient)
Detroit '08 Preview: Toyota Venza Crossover Sedan coming to NAIAS {Autoblog}
Dec 19th 2007 4:07PM In a bygone era, cars like this were called wagons - the original cross-over vehicule
