GM and Ford both buy many key parts from their former parts divisions, which they spun off as Delphi and Visteon.
Delphi and Visteon are in even worse financial condition than their parent companies. They also have their parents over a barrel: if Delphi and Visteon are unable to build certain parts, GM and Ford are unable to build cars.
GM and Ford may be forced to take back the money losing plants of the suppliers, to ensure the supplier's survival, to fulfill UAW contractual obligations, and to continue the flow of parts. Because these plants are unionized, they can not easily be closed, and the parts bought elsewhere.
At that point, the OEMs will have gotten back the chaff, and let the wheat go.
Carrying Saleen wheels and Bullitt wheels.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Thursday, May 05, 2005
The Story Behind the Photo [Politics]
Here is the story behind the photo of the U.S. soldier and little girl I posted a link to earlier. HT: LGF.
He Practiced What He Preached
He practiced what he preached, and it came back and bit him.
Automuse relates the story of a college senior, who editorialized against wearing seatbelts, and was killed when he was ejected from a rolling SUV.
His two friends, who were belted in, survived with minor injuries.
Automuse relates the story of a college senior, who editorialized against wearing seatbelts, and was killed when he was ejected from a rolling SUV.
His two friends, who were belted in, survived with minor injuries.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Explorer Nose Job
AutoBlog points out that the new front end design on the 2006 Ford Explorer is not terribly exciting. I find the bling annoying, it looks out of place. To me and many others, the design looks like it was cribbed from Audi. Couldn't J Mays and co. think of something more original?
2006 Explorer
2006 Audi A3
2006 VW Jetta
In the good news department, the Explorer gets the 4.6L-3V motor, common with the Mustang GT, with a large HP boost from 239 to 292. Torque goes from 282 to 300 ft-lbs. If they didn't add too much weight, that means that fuel economy should go up a little, which would be a welcome improvement on the Explorer.
Update: The new VW nose also has a family resemblance!
2006 Explorer
2006 Audi A3
2006 VW Jetta
In the good news department, the Explorer gets the 4.6L-3V motor, common with the Mustang GT, with a large HP boost from 239 to 292. Torque goes from 282 to 300 ft-lbs. If they didn't add too much weight, that means that fuel economy should go up a little, which would be a welcome improvement on the Explorer.
Update: The new VW nose also has a family resemblance!
The "Insurgency"
Warning: disturbing photo ahead
This photo, of an American soldier cradling a bloody child after a suicide bomb attack in Iraq is probably the single most disturbing photograph I have seen coming out of Iraq.
The people who blow up civilians are not "insurgents", they are terrorists, plain and simple--although Michael Moore thinks they are patriotic minutemen, resisters of American imperialism. They deserve everything that was done in Abu Ghraib, and then some.
May the U.S. Army grind their bones into dust.
This photo, of an American soldier cradling a bloody child after a suicide bomb attack in Iraq is probably the single most disturbing photograph I have seen coming out of Iraq.
The people who blow up civilians are not "insurgents", they are terrorists, plain and simple--although Michael Moore thinks they are patriotic minutemen, resisters of American imperialism. They deserve everything that was done in Abu Ghraib, and then some.
May the U.S. Army grind their bones into dust.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Hummer H3: DOA?
The Angry Engineer blogs about the disastrous GM Colorado light pickup truck. This will go down as one of the worst business decisions in the business: spend a billion dollars to develop a vehicle for a shrinking market segment (the compact pickup), and screw it up in the process.
Sorry to sound so negative on so many things (such as the Zephyr), but the Hummer H3 sounds like another disaster about to happen.
The Hummer H3 is going to be built on the Colorado platform, much the same way that the H2 is built on GM's large truck platform. So it is going to be a large, 2-ton brick, about the size of a Ford Explorer, with the less than exciting (ask Car and Driver) 220HP I-5 engine. An Explorer, BTW, can be had with a 4.6L V8; a Jeep Grand Cherokee can have a 4.7L V8. GM's answer: "It will have good fuel economy". Oh, and it will cost about $30,000.
People don't buy Hummers for fuel economy, they buy them to make a statement (of poor taste).
Thud.
Sorry to sound so negative on so many things (such as the Zephyr), but the Hummer H3 sounds like another disaster about to happen.
The Hummer H3 is going to be built on the Colorado platform, much the same way that the H2 is built on GM's large truck platform. So it is going to be a large, 2-ton brick, about the size of a Ford Explorer, with the less than exciting (ask Car and Driver) 220HP I-5 engine. An Explorer, BTW, can be had with a 4.6L V8; a Jeep Grand Cherokee can have a 4.7L V8. GM's answer: "It will have good fuel economy". Oh, and it will cost about $30,000.
People don't buy Hummers for fuel economy, they buy them to make a statement (of poor taste).
Thud.
Flushing Out The Cell Phones
What is going on with people's manners?
Today at work, a guy got a call on his cell while he was sitting on a toilet in the men's room. I guess he couldn't stand the crescendoing strains of his grandfather clock ring tone, because he answered his call, and started talking. His conversation loudly echoed off the tiled walls.
I flushed.
I have a policy, whenever someone makes or takes a call in the restroom, I flush. Maybe twice. Perhaps, after an embarrassing episode, the guy will think about what he is doing more carefully. (I'm not the first one to think of this, of course, a blogger named Tiffany Brown posted long ago on this topic.)
Do people really need to answer the cell phone, and interrupt other people, the second the damn thing rings? Are there really that many things that can't wait a few minutes for a call back? I'm starting to think that Michael Medved is right, that most of us would be better off without a cell phone.
Today at work, a guy got a call on his cell while he was sitting on a toilet in the men's room. I guess he couldn't stand the crescendoing strains of his grandfather clock ring tone, because he answered his call, and started talking. His conversation loudly echoed off the tiled walls.
I flushed.
I have a policy, whenever someone makes or takes a call in the restroom, I flush. Maybe twice. Perhaps, after an embarrassing episode, the guy will think about what he is doing more carefully. (I'm not the first one to think of this, of course, a blogger named Tiffany Brown posted long ago on this topic.)
Do people really need to answer the cell phone, and interrupt other people, the second the damn thing rings? Are there really that many things that can't wait a few minutes for a call back? I'm starting to think that Michael Medved is right, that most of us would be better off without a cell phone.
Social Security Exceptions
Another quick note on Social Security.
Did you know that millions of workers are exempt from Social Security? State and local government employees are not required to participate unless their employer chooses to. Many state employees have state-run pension plans.
Some of these states even invest their employees retirement funds in... the stock market!
So, where is the outcry? Why aren't state employees yelling about how their money has been diverted to a "risky scheme"? Why aren't they forcing all government units to buy into Social Security?
Did you know that millions of workers are exempt from Social Security? State and local government employees are not required to participate unless their employer chooses to. Many state employees have state-run pension plans.
Some of these states even invest their employees retirement funds in... the stock market!
So, where is the outcry? Why aren't state employees yelling about how their money has been diverted to a "risky scheme"? Why aren't they forcing all government units to buy into Social Security?
Volvo: Do The Right Thing
If you buy a Volvo, there are several traits that you expect from the car. You expect longevity, and you expect safety. Longevity is a tradition, more than a stated design goal of Volvo, but they do like to advertise about how some owners get 300,000+ miles out of their old Volvos. And Volvo definitely advertises its emphasis on safety.
Now, there is news that Volvo is having problems with its electronic throttle bodies in 1999-2001 models. Since the throttle is computer controlled, if the ETM fails, you are not going to drive any further, as there is no mechanical backup. Customers are stalling, and are having to replace the throttle bodies well before 100,000 miles. Gummed up throttle bodies also, according to CARB, are increasing hydrocarbon emissions.
There are reports of some dealers telling people they have to pay for the repair, and accusing customers of using "bad gas", which somehow gums up the throttle body. This is absolutely ridiculous. What is "bad gas" and where do you get it? Are thousands of Volvo owners driving to Mexico to buy unfiltered gas from some 50 gallon drums?
This is entirely the wrong reaction. Instead of fighting it, Volvo should cheerfully replace very bad ETM when the time comes, free of charge. They should issue a service bulletin, requiring dealers to clean and check the suspect ETMs whenever a car comes in for service. Otherwise, they have violated both their commitment to safety and to pollution control, more importantly, they have damaged their image.
Now, there is news that Volvo is having problems with its electronic throttle bodies in 1999-2001 models. Since the throttle is computer controlled, if the ETM fails, you are not going to drive any further, as there is no mechanical backup. Customers are stalling, and are having to replace the throttle bodies well before 100,000 miles. Gummed up throttle bodies also, according to CARB, are increasing hydrocarbon emissions.
There are reports of some dealers telling people they have to pay for the repair, and accusing customers of using "bad gas", which somehow gums up the throttle body. This is absolutely ridiculous. What is "bad gas" and where do you get it? Are thousands of Volvo owners driving to Mexico to buy unfiltered gas from some 50 gallon drums?
This is entirely the wrong reaction. Instead of fighting it, Volvo should cheerfully replace very bad ETM when the time comes, free of charge. They should issue a service bulletin, requiring dealers to clean and check the suspect ETMs whenever a car comes in for service. Otherwise, they have violated both their commitment to safety and to pollution control, more importantly, they have damaged their image.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Suze Orman: FUD* in Detroit
I heard Suze Orman, the well known motivational speaker and "personal finance expert", on Paul W. Smith's morning show (760AM WJR) this morning. Paul W. asked Orman what she thought of President Bush's proposal to create private investment accounts as part of his social security reform package. I was a little surprised at what I heard: (quotes are approximate, based on my memory)
So Orman says that we can't rely on social security, and that we have to plan for our own retirement... but we can't be trusted to make the decisions? Doesn't Orman make a handsome living teaching us ignorant Americans how to structure our finances? I would think that Orman should be heartily supportive of private retirement accounts, more people would buy her books.
Orman also implies that people would be able to invest their social security accounts foolishly, but that is not very likely to be allowed. Details are still scarce, but the likely scenario is a basket of low fee funds that offer asset allocation choices, which an investor can pick from based on their level of risk tolerance. People who are willing to risk more can pick the fund that is stock weighted, while people who are conservative can pick the fund that is invested mostly in government bonds.
What better way is there to educate people about money and investing than to offer them a chance to actually do it? If everyone had a retirement account, and had to make investment decisions, the level of involvement would invariably increase.
*Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt
Orman: "Why can't the government just take care of us, like it is supposed to?"This is surprising because of what Orman teaches in her PBS shows and books: that people have to take charge of their retirement. From the Oprah web site:
Paul W: "Suze! You sound like a socialist."
Orman: "Not a socialist, a realist. Look, we go around the country and ask people, "do you have a will? do you have an irrevocable trust?", and people don't even have those. And now we expect them to invest their social security money? These are the same people who mortgaged their houses to buy technology stocks in the 90's bubble... the stock market still hasn't recovered from that yet, and financial planners, they still don't know what to tell people to do."
Maximize retirement accounts. We can't rely on Social Security to meet our
retirement needs, so it's crucial to save as much as you can now. This pertains
to single, life partner and married retirees: Those who are single won't share
living expenses. If you're married and you're both planning on drawing Social
Security income, when your spouse dies, you'll go from two checks to one.
Maximize your contributions to 401(k) or 403(b) accounts, and if you qualify, take advantage of funding a Roth IRA.
So Orman says that we can't rely on social security, and that we have to plan for our own retirement... but we can't be trusted to make the decisions? Doesn't Orman make a handsome living teaching us ignorant Americans how to structure our finances? I would think that Orman should be heartily supportive of private retirement accounts, more people would buy her books.
Orman also implies that people would be able to invest their social security accounts foolishly, but that is not very likely to be allowed. Details are still scarce, but the likely scenario is a basket of low fee funds that offer asset allocation choices, which an investor can pick from based on their level of risk tolerance. People who are willing to risk more can pick the fund that is stock weighted, while people who are conservative can pick the fund that is invested mostly in government bonds.
What better way is there to educate people about money and investing than to offer them a chance to actually do it? If everyone had a retirement account, and had to make investment decisions, the level of involvement would invariably increase.
*Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt
Friday, April 29, 2005
The Fusion is Ford's Future
Cars! Cars! Cars! ruminates on Ford's product lineup and future, pitching in an unflatteringly hacked Ford oval graphic. He seems to conflate the Freestyle and Freestar into one product, which is not entirely his fault, Ford marketing should be spanked for naming two cars under the same nameplate so closely. His basic point is good, though, that Ford hasn't been trying very hard in the car department.
This can be blamed on the management team of the 1990's. Back then, Ford was awash in cash from selling trucks and SUVs, gas was cheap, and people apparently didn't think cars were going to be that important in the future. The strategy for much of the domestic industry seemed to be to pump development dollars into trucks and SUVs, where the profit margins were, and use cars as loss-leaders, like CDs at Walmart. (Man, did they learn their lesson)
The Fusion and its brothers are critical for Ford in North America. If the Fusion doesn't sell well, Ford is as good as dead. Market share will continue to decline, and the business will become unsustainable, if all other trends continue.
This can be blamed on the management team of the 1990's. Back then, Ford was awash in cash from selling trucks and SUVs, gas was cheap, and people apparently didn't think cars were going to be that important in the future. The strategy for much of the domestic industry seemed to be to pump development dollars into trucks and SUVs, where the profit margins were, and use cars as loss-leaders, like CDs at Walmart. (Man, did they learn their lesson)
The Fusion and its brothers are critical for Ford in North America. If the Fusion doesn't sell well, Ford is as good as dead. Market share will continue to decline, and the business will become unsustainable, if all other trends continue.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
The H1-B Bomber
Bill Gates says that the H1-B visa quota should be eliminated. He wants us to believe that there is a shortage of engineers.
The truth is, Bill Gates wants more cheap engineers. There are lots of experienced, older engineers out there, who are unemployed or underemployed. They are unemployed because they are more expensive, rather than out of date--the fundamentals of most engineering disciplines have not changed in many years, only many of the tools and tricks.
If engineers are in such tight demand, you would expect that their salaries would be skyrocketing. But they aren't (mine isn't). If engineers were so hard to get, you would think that companies would work hard to keep them, instead of laying them off when things get tight.
If there was a shortage of engineers, the market would adjust, and sweeten the deal, to attract more students to engineering. But college students are not beating down the doors to get into engineering programs, because they know how engineers are treated. The kids are pursuing law, medicine, finance--if you are going to be worked like a dog, you might as well get paid for it.
A good, compact article on this subject is here.
The truth is, Bill Gates wants more cheap engineers. There are lots of experienced, older engineers out there, who are unemployed or underemployed. They are unemployed because they are more expensive, rather than out of date--the fundamentals of most engineering disciplines have not changed in many years, only many of the tools and tricks.
If engineers are in such tight demand, you would expect that their salaries would be skyrocketing. But they aren't (mine isn't). If engineers were so hard to get, you would think that companies would work hard to keep them, instead of laying them off when things get tight.
If there was a shortage of engineers, the market would adjust, and sweeten the deal, to attract more students to engineering. But college students are not beating down the doors to get into engineering programs, because they know how engineers are treated. The kids are pursuing law, medicine, finance--if you are going to be worked like a dog, you might as well get paid for it.
A good, compact article on this subject is here.
Pet Safe Coolant
In Tom and Ray Magliozzi's latest Car Talk article, a veterinarian asks about pet-safe coolant (propylene glycol vs ethylene glycol). The less toxic coolant is more expensive, and is not a long-life product like the poisonous mixes that are most common. Tom and Ray point out that Califrornia and Oregon require coolant to be spiked with a chemical which will make it taste nasty, so that dogs and kids won't drink it.
This is a smart solution. For once, I agree with California's government.
But, no dogs, cats, or kids would be able to drink any type coolant if the stuff was stored properly, unless their car is leaking. People need to keep all of their chemicals sealed and out of reach, or they invite tragedy. And get the leaks fixed.
This is a smart solution. For once, I agree with California's government.
But, no dogs, cats, or kids would be able to drink any type coolant if the stuff was stored properly, unless their car is leaking. People need to keep all of their chemicals sealed and out of reach, or they invite tragedy. And get the leaks fixed.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
California Ammunition Serial Number Stupidity
The California legislature has just passed out of committee a bill that would require all handgun ammunition sold in the state after 2007 to have unique serial numbers, which can be traced back to the purchaser. (Article here).
What a dumb idea. As usually is the case with gun control laws, this law will hurt the ammunition manufacturers and legal users, and have no impact on criminals.
What a dumb idea. As usually is the case with gun control laws, this law will hurt the ammunition manufacturers and legal users, and have no impact on criminals.
- Vast stockpiles of un-numbered ammunition exist, and will take years to be expended.
- Unless all the other states follow suit, anyone would be able to obtain unmarked ammo by going to a different state.
- Even if all US made ammunition is marked, unmarked ammunition will be smuggled in on the black market, just as cocaine, heroin, and illegal weapons are.
- Serial numbers on guns have not enabled the police to trace weapons from manufacture to criminal reliably, so why would ammunition serial numbers?
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Charity From Toyota?
This morning, on the radio, I heard something that made me drop my toothbrush. Toyota was supposedly going to raise its car prices, to help Ford and GM. What?!?
Reading about it later, I see that there is wisdom in what Hiroshi Okuda said. It is an example of Japanese long term, careful thinking. From the Seattle Post:
There are several reasons why Toyota would want to moderate its domination of the American auto market. GM and Ford sre both huge companies, and the failure of one would be devastating to the US economy. Toyota would lose business, because many fewer people would be able to buy new cars, as the economic shock wave rippled outward.
As mentioned in the quote, Toyota is wary of a "buy American" backlash, that would also hurt their sales. Toyota wants to avoid protective US government intervention, in an effort to save Detroit.
The failure of GM and Ford would also be devastating to the supply base, which either supplies Toyota or provides competition to Toyotas suppliers, keeping prices in check.
Toyota wants to win, but it has a timetable for its goals. Toyota is patient.
Reading about it later, I see that there is wisdom in what Hiroshi Okuda said. It is an example of Japanese long term, careful thinking. From the Seattle Post:
"I'm concerned about the current situation surrounding GM. Although a trade conflict, like ones (that) happened in the past, may be avoided, there may be some impact (on Japan's car industry) because the car industry is symbolic in the U.S. economy," Okuda was quoted as saying by the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun.
There are several reasons why Toyota would want to moderate its domination of the American auto market. GM and Ford sre both huge companies, and the failure of one would be devastating to the US economy. Toyota would lose business, because many fewer people would be able to buy new cars, as the economic shock wave rippled outward.
As mentioned in the quote, Toyota is wary of a "buy American" backlash, that would also hurt their sales. Toyota wants to avoid protective US government intervention, in an effort to save Detroit.
The failure of GM and Ford would also be devastating to the supply base, which either supplies Toyota or provides competition to Toyotas suppliers, keeping prices in check.
Toyota wants to win, but it has a timetable for its goals. Toyota is patient.
Want A Good Cheap Car? Try a Taurus.
I recently had a conversation with a family friend, a middle aged woman, who was in the market for a car. She wanted to know what I thought about buying a new Kia Spectra (~$12,000), for the low cost and warranty.
I told her to check out a late model used Taurus or Chevy Malibu instead.
For the money, a 1 or 2 year old off-lease Taurus is probably the best deal going in the midsize car market. They depreciate so badly that you can get a nicely equipped, low mileage car for a veary reasonable price, $11,000-ish. Especially in the Metro Detroit area, where Tauruses are commonly used by rental fleets and Ford employee leases.
Probably the best source for a used car are the rental car companies, because they maintain their cars regularly, which is not always the case with private owners.
A quick comparison chart:
The Taurus is safer than the Spectra, is larger,can be had with a more powerful engine (though the Taurus is heavier), and is availible with more "high end" options such as leather seats and in-dash CD changer. The Spectra definitely has a better warranty, but for about $1,500 you can buy an extended warranty for the Taurus. (These are not usually worth it). The Malibu does not have safety specs that are as good, but is also a very good deal. Another good option in this same vein is the Buick Century.
The lady who asked me for my advice wound up buying a used Mercury Sable, with leather, fake wood, shiny wheels, the works, and is quite happy with it.
I told her to check out a late model used Taurus or Chevy Malibu instead.
For the money, a 1 or 2 year old off-lease Taurus is probably the best deal going in the midsize car market. They depreciate so badly that you can get a nicely equipped, low mileage car for a veary reasonable price, $11,000-ish. Especially in the Metro Detroit area, where Tauruses are commonly used by rental fleets and Ford employee leases.
Probably the best source for a used car are the rental car companies, because they maintain their cars regularly, which is not always the case with private owners.
A quick comparison chart:
| Model | 2005 Kia Spectra EX, new | 2003 Chevy Malibu, 30,000 miles | 2003 Ford Taurus, 30,000 miles |
| Powertrain |
|
|
|
| Safety |
|
|
|
| Comfort |
|
|
|
| Warranty | 5 year (60,000mi) 10 year powertrain | 1 year (12000mi) | 1 year (12000mi) |
| Price (Invoice or Private Party KBB) | $15,800 | $10,000 | $11,200 |
The Taurus is safer than the Spectra, is larger,can be had with a more powerful engine (though the Taurus is heavier), and is availible with more "high end" options such as leather seats and in-dash CD changer. The Spectra definitely has a better warranty, but for about $1,500 you can buy an extended warranty for the Taurus. (These are not usually worth it). The Malibu does not have safety specs that are as good, but is also a very good deal. Another good option in this same vein is the Buick Century.
The lady who asked me for my advice wound up buying a used Mercury Sable, with leather, fake wood, shiny wheels, the works, and is quite happy with it.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Why Americans Prefer Cars Over Public Transportation
TTAC's Robert Farago skewers public transportation. Then TTAC's Colin Murchie skewers Robert Farago's piece. All good fun.
But the point is not necessarily which system of transport is more environmentally friendly, or even more cost effective. We are not necessarily economic creatures. Public transportation sucks because we have to be sitting flesh to flesh with strangers, who don't bathe, or have bizarre body ornaments, or are listening to Eminem so loudly on their headphones you can here every expletive two seats over.
Americans love cars, and are cool to public transportation because we love the freedom to go where we want, when we want, and with as few passengers as we want.
What we need is a compromise between individuality and efficiency. Fast public transportation around dense urban areas, and wide highways running in between them. Places to park your car on the outskirts if you are going to stay all day, and convenient (though expensive) parking if you just need to visit for an hour.
And (in Michigan) fix the effing potholes!
But the point is not necessarily which system of transport is more environmentally friendly, or even more cost effective. We are not necessarily economic creatures. Public transportation sucks because we have to be sitting flesh to flesh with strangers, who don't bathe, or have bizarre body ornaments, or are listening to Eminem so loudly on their headphones you can here every expletive two seats over.
Americans love cars, and are cool to public transportation because we love the freedom to go where we want, when we want, and with as few passengers as we want.
What we need is a compromise between individuality and efficiency. Fast public transportation around dense urban areas, and wide highways running in between them. Places to park your car on the outskirts if you are going to stay all day, and convenient (though expensive) parking if you just need to visit for an hour.
And (in Michigan) fix the effing potholes!
Invest in GM or F?
The Angry Engineer blogs about the high yields of Ford and GM stocks and bonds. 8% is tasty, but these are high-risk investments.
If you do invest in GM or F, remember that in the case of a bankrupcy, the bondholders are payed before the stockholders.
If you are a Ford or GM employee, make sure you have less than 10% of your 401(k) invested in company stock. Otherwise, you could be Enron'd.
(I own stock, and paper, at the moment. Kinda like being in Vegas... without the free booze.)
If you do invest in GM or F, remember that in the case of a bankrupcy, the bondholders are payed before the stockholders.
If you are a Ford or GM employee, make sure you have less than 10% of your 401(k) invested in company stock. Otherwise, you could be Enron'd.
(I own stock, and paper, at the moment. Kinda like being in Vegas... without the free booze.)
Friday, April 22, 2005
More Zephyr Details
My previous comments on the Zephyer are here.
I have heard that the Zephyr will get the new 3.5L Duratec 35 engine, after it is introduced with the 3.0L. The HP numbers on the 3.5L aren't out, but they should be about 250HP, based on displacement. The Zephyr will also get AWD. Ford's strategy, apparently was to get the car out soon, and improve it later. Still no plans for a manual transmission, from what I have heard.
The larger engine and AWD will really help the car, I think. I hope that people aren't turned off by the weak first model.
I have heard that the Zephyr will get the new 3.5L Duratec 35 engine, after it is introduced with the 3.0L. The HP numbers on the 3.5L aren't out, but they should be about 250HP, based on displacement. The Zephyr will also get AWD. Ford's strategy, apparently was to get the car out soon, and improve it later. Still no plans for a manual transmission, from what I have heard.
The larger engine and AWD will really help the car, I think. I hope that people aren't turned off by the weak first model.
Sign Me Up
From Joe Sherlock:
A former Costco Wholesale worker who was fired for refusing to remove her eyebrow ring has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. She has accused Costco of religious discrimination. She claims membership in the Church of Body Modification. And, while you're at it, Your Honor, leave me alone, too. I'm a member of the Church of Exceeding The Speed Limit.Heh. Sign me up, Reverend Sherlock!
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