Alizium Auto Blogs: car minded

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What is REVO EVOM?

Imagine you’re on an open freeway with nothing but clear pavement and blue sky in front you. You’re cruising comfortably at 5 or 10 over the speed limit when you see a car up ahead that looks like it’s passing a semi in the left lane. You put on your left blinker, check your blind spot, and change lanes so you can overtake the truck without messing up the cruise control settings.

You’re expecting the car in front of you to pass the truck, then move over into the right lane so you can continue on your merry way without changing your speed.

Only there’s a problem. The car in front of you ISN’T passing the semi. In fact, for some reason only explainable by insanity he’s decided to match the semi’s speed EXACTLY. You grunt as you wait until the last possible second before pushing ‘cancel’ on the cruise control. Your car’s RPMs drop in response, which wakes up your spouse, who thinks you’re exiting for the next gas station.

You’re stuck behind a 1997 Buick and a lumbering truck stacked full of cows, and you’re out of options for passing either of them.

I can’t think of another situation on America’s freeways that so instantly dials up the road rage meter.

Enter REVO EVOM, a decal people are placing on their hoods or windshields that when read from the Buick’s rear-view mirror will give a very clear message: MOVE OVER.

Take heed, fellow drivers, because some states are coming to the rescue by actually enforcing new laws and fining people for spending too much time in the left lane. In my home state, Washington, that fine is $124.

It’s about time those left-lane lugnuts get taught a lesson and give us our open road back!

Are you more likely to be the one getting a ticket, or ordering a REVO EVOM sign? Leave your comments here!

-tgriffith

Did GM betray Americans?

Betrayal or just bad business?

GM today has officially brought their plea for billions of dollars to the public.

With a full-page print ad, the company admits to disappointing customers, letting quality fall below industry standards and creating lackluster designs. They also acknowledge having too many brands, too many dealers and building too many trucks and SUVs.

This is all true, and I’m thrilled to see GM own up to their problems. Of course, the motivation for doing so is a possible injection of billions of dollars of taxpayer’s money, so it’s a wise move to make sure those taxpayers feel some sign of corporate humility.

While there’s no doubt that GM has been poorly managed, made poor business decisions and produced historically sub-par vehicles, the ad also apologizes for at times betraying the American people.

I don’t think they have betrayed us, and I’ll put my neck out there to stand up to that.

While I still believe a bankruptcy filing would be a better consequence of their business decisions than a near-certain government bailout, I don’t think GM has done anything that has betrayed the people of America. They were greedy, cocky and arrogant, but it’s only now that they are being called out on it.

For years, Americans have bought right into their business practices and supported them. So it’s not a GM betrayal of Americans, it’s a failure of Americans to notice or care that we were being taken advantage of. In that sense, we are somewhat at fault for helping GM arrive at this point of financial collapse.

Maybe it’s us who has betrayed them by not forcing automakers to restructure years ago. We bought everything they threw at us, so it’s no wonder quality went in the tank and SUVs kept getting bigger.

While they should’ve had the foresight to know that couldn’t last forever, we should’ve taken a stand against their products and practices years ago.

And now here we are on the verge of a very different auto industry than the U.S. has ever seen. And you know what? I’m excited about the changes and the potential for cars of the future.

Do you think GM betrayed the American people? Leave your comments below!

-tgriffith

The 5 coolest movie cars of all time!

Sometimes the cars in movies are more memorable than the actors or even the movie itself.

In rare instances, a car will completely steal the show and over time become an iconic symbol and represent an entire generation of memories. Here are 5 of those cars, and I know there are countless more. Feel free to share your favorites here as well!

The Ghostbusters Ambulance

Just look at it and you’ll start singing the song. You’ll have memories of ectoplasm, Slimer and the Sta-Puft Marshmellow Man. Bonus points to you if you remember the name of the car: Ecto-1.

The Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Ferrari

If I was a valet guy and this car pulled up, I’d smile to myself knowing I was about to have the time of my life! Just like in the movie.

The Gone in 60 Seconds Mustang Shelby GT

Eleanor, as she is known, is simply beautiful. Plus she can jump over traffic jams and land without popping tires or breaking axles. Given the opportunity, I’d steal her too!

The Back to the Future DeLorean

Nuclear power, an onboard flux capacitor and the ability to travel through time once it hits 88 miles per hour makes this otherwise forgettable piece of automotive history memorable forever.

The Quantum of Solace Aston Martin DBS

Some say Bond should only be behind the wheel of a Bentley. I disagree. In fact, if I were to make a list of the coolest cars ever built in the history of the world, this Aston Martin would be on that list. So it’s only natural to put the car on this list.

What are some of your favorite movie cars? Leave your comments below!

-tgriffith

The new look of the American auto industry?

Alfa Romeo: Coming to America!

Of the 15.5 million vehicles built in America in 2007, foreign manufacturers built 6 million. That’s a number primed to grow as the U.S. automakers struggle and foreign companies see value in increasing operations here.

Cars will always be built in America, even if our homegrown Big 3 go belly up.

Even Alfa Romeo, who withdrew from the U.S. market in 1995, is coming back with new models and could possibly move production here in 2011 or 2012.

Honda has built cars in the U.S. for years, with a major operation in Ohio and another being built in Indiana. Last year 1 million Hondas were built in America and the Indiana plant will add capacity to build 200,000 more. Honda is also considering moving production of the Fit stateside, as Honda is looking for ways to keep up with demand. Honda’s overall sales were down 28% in October of this year, but sales of the Fit rose by that same percentage.

Toyota has a similar philosophy, having recently opened a new plant in Texas, and is building another in Mississippi to handle the production of Highlanders and Prius hybrids. In 2007, Toyota built 1.3 million cars in America.

BMW produced 150,000 vehicles in America last year and is investing to bring their capacity up to 240,000. Production of their X3 will move from Europe to South Carolina. Nissan is building a new plant in Mississippi, Kia is building a new plant in Georgia and Hyundai recently completed a plant in Alabama. Volkswagen will build a U.S. production plant in Tennessee, where they intend to build a car designed for the U.S. market.

All of these new plants are paying decent wages and have real advantages over Detroit, with younger workers and much lower benefit costs.

There’s a lot to be excited about in America’s future of auto production, even if that future is void of GM and Chrysler.

If automotive jobs are still in America, what are your thoughts on foreign companies providing those jobs?

-tgriffith

What bankruptcy would mean for automakers

Bankruptcy is a very scary word. For many of us, it conjures up images of financial devastation and companies going out of business for good.

So when we talk about bankruptcy and the three biggest auto companies in America, we become afraid that if they file for bankruptcy they will disappear forever. That is just not the case.

The fact is, GM and Chrysler are already bankrupt. They are out of money, all that’s missing is the formal filing.

If any of the Big 3 were to file for bankruptcy, they’d file for chapter 11. Cases filed under chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code are sometimes referred to as “reorganization bankruptcies” because it lets the company stay in business while changing the way they operate. A judge decides how and when debts are repaid.

Reorganization is what the Big 3 need, along with getting out of their current financial obligations such as labor costs, executive salaries, union workers benefits, dealer agreements, etc. Right now, it’s those union agreements that are resulting in a financial loss for every car sold. Logically that can’t continue.

A financial bailout would provide money to the automakers to continue business as usual, but provide little incentive to actually restructure. Chapter 11 bankruptcy would be like wiping the slate clean and starting over, continuing business while reorganizing.

For consumers, warranties would stay in effect and dealers would continue selling and servicing cars.

Of course there are consequences to filing for bankruptcy, one of which is consumer confidence. Given the choice of a bankrupt auto maker and a financially sound one, the decision may not take people long.

Considering though that GM and Chrysler are already out of money and in desperate need of cash, are you in favor of bankruptcy or bailout for the automakers?

-tgriffith

Forget the government, let Big Oil bail out the auto industry!

There's big money in Big Oil

I’ve got to give my wife a lot of credit, since last night she had an idea that could save the auto industry.

We were reading an article in the paper about the record profits Big Oil is hauling in… $44 billion in the last quarter. That translates to $176 billion in profits over a year. That’s PROFITS, not revenue. How much is the auto industry asking for? A measly $25 to $50 billion? I’m sure you see where my wife went with this.

Let’s let Big Oil bail out the Big 3.

It makes so much sense! The oil companies wouldn’t be living the good life if it weren’t for regular citizens like you and me buying and driving cars. The oil and auto industries rely heavily on one another, and Big Oil is sitting on the cash it could loan to the Big 3.

Of course, Big Oil may not have the vested interest in forcing automakers to adhere to strict fuel economy standards, but they do have the money and the influence to demand competitiveness while saving U.S. taxpayers from footing the bailout bill.

Imagine the scenario: Big Oil foots the bill and bails out the Big 3. Now they have a substantial financial interest in whether or not the automakers survive. If they do, Big Oil gets their loans paid back and earns even more profit. If the Big 3 still go under, Big Oil doesn’t get their money back.

And that’s not a group that likes to let profits slip away and would do whatever they must to ensure they get paid and the automakers succeed.

What do you think of Big Oil bailing out the Big 3 instead of the government?

-tgriffith

2009: The year GM dies?

Is it too late to save the Big 3?

Can we even call them the Big 3 anymore?

There’s news today that the massive automotive bailout plan is heading for defeat. Even if it passed, I doubt it would guarantee the long-term survival of the former automotive giants.

Here’s why: The finances of Ford, GM and Chrysler are being sucked dry by the labor unions and retirees. Current management of these companies have made poor strategic decisions leading, at least partially, to the mess they now find themselves in.

A financial bailout is nothing more than a band-aid and is useless unless it’s a bailout that addresses the above issues. As a car junkie and an American patriot, it’s hard for me to believe I’m even writing this, but I believe at least one of these 3 will cease to exist within the next year.

The options for success just aren’t there, as a financial bailout is becoming unlikely and bankruptcy… well, who’s going to buy a car from a bankrupt automaker?

We’re at the brink of automotive history. We can read what automotive bloggers have to say about the situation and argue about whether or not we should try to prevent collapse, but it’s already happening.

One way or another, major change is on the horizon, and all we can do now is band together and make the best out of whatever change brings us.

Comment here: How would the collapse of at least one of the Big 3 affect you?

-tgriffith

The $20 fill up that changes everything

Something incredible is happening.

Not long ago, in this very space, I said: “Americans could very easily get used to 3 dollar gas.” Well. Silly me. I would have never guessed that within a month I’d see 2 dollar gas!

I live in a state with relatively high gas taxes, and my local station is selling regular unleaded for about $2.25. That’s incredible, considering last summer that same station was selling fuel for $4.25. I could very easily spend my time here delving into the reasons for such a dramatic drop, but that’s not nearly as exciting as thinking about the consequences of the price drop.

The little Suzuki I drive has an 11 gallon gas tank and was costing just over $40 to fill up, which for such a small car was quickly becoming infuriating. I was ready to trade it in for a Vespa and seriously adjust my driving habits even with that. I was prepared to do whatever I had to so America could cut it’s use of foreign oil and usher in the era of hydrogen to power the next generation of cars.

Then I watched prices on the digital sign at my local gas station plummet, and I filled up Friday night for just over $20. It’s the 20 dollar fill up that is changing my outlook on our country’s gas situation.

Now I’m considering trading in my Suzuki again… only this time a Tundra sounds kind of attractive. Or maybe the practicality of a Pilot. Heck, if I can fill one of those up for 40 or 50 bucks, I’ll be one happy consumer of oil; wherever in the world it comes from.

How low will prices go before they are no longer an issue?

-tgriffith

What cars are selling in 2008?

The best selling car in America... for now

We all know auto sales are way down; so much so that automakers and dealers are taking some desperate measures to move cars.

While it may sound like nothing but doom and gloom, cars are still selling. It’s when we look at which ones that we get a glimpse into what consumers are demanding. And there are some surprises about what cars are popular right now.

Through August, the top selling vehicles for 2008 are:

Toyota Camry
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Ford F- Series
Nissan Altima
Chevy Silverado
Chevy Impala
Ford Focus
Chevy Cobalt

Here’s what surprises me about this list: First, even though the first half of 2008 saw the highest gas prices EVER, the Toyota Prius isn’t present. I take that as a sign that consumers are smart, electing to save their money by buying traditional gas-powered cars that deliver an acceptable MPG.

Second, there are two trucks on the list. Chalk this up to aggressive discounting by Ford and Chevy, in addition to the simple fact that a lot of guys in America will ALWAYS buy trucks.

It’s no surprise that all SUVs have disappeared completely from the top 10. Families in need of hauling soccer gear and kids are sacrificing the space of an Explorer for the practicality of the Accord.

No doubt this list is posted in the corporate offices of automakers around the world, and we’ll be seeing more 4-door fuel efficient sedans in the future.

I want to know: How long will pickups stay on the top 10?

-tgriffith

The world’s biggest Chevy dealer has closed… and keep your eyes open for more

You won't be seeing signs like this anymore!

The news that Bill Heard Enterprises has closed shop is more surprising than it should be.

It’s no secret that dealer consolidation has been a much needed action, and that fuel prices have left a major dent in the sales of high-profit trucks and SUVs.

But the fact that the world’s largest seller of Chevrolet couldn’t even keep ONE of it’s 13 stores open is surreal. Something more must be going on.

That ‘something more’ is a massive lawsuit against Bill Heard Enterprises, accusing the dealer of signature forgery and deceptive marketing; charges that could bring up to $50 million in fines.

So the credit crunch is likely a cause of failure, not THE cause of failure.

The credit crunch and gas prices are the reasons Bill Heard Enterprises is citing though, and that’s enough for me to sound the alarm for massive changes ahead in the auto dealer industry.

What kind of changes could we see as dealers begin to jump ship?

Consolidation for one. Perhaps even to the extreme: Imagine shopping for Ford, Chevy, Chrysler, Nissan and Toyota under one roof.

Imagine the current rows and rows of auto dealers lined up on main drags across America, relegated to just one or two city blocks.

Of course consolidation would not bode well for the automakers, who count on exclusivity and high volume sales from their dealers. They’d have to cut production dramatically and quickly adapt to a much leaner way of building and distributing their vehicles.

For you and me though, it means more power in how we buy our cars and eventually could lead to a shift away from the current high-pressure model of car sales.

I’d love to see going to the car dealer akin to going to grocery store… just pick out what I want, pay and leave.

I ask you: is that day coming? Would you want it to?

-tgriffith

Normally I’m the first to write off a group like drive55.org as extremists, ...

Save the Polar Bear

They say driving 55 will save the polar bears.

They say driving 55 will bring world peace.

They say driving 55 will stop global warming.

They, the folks at www.drive55.org, might have a point. Though for most of us living in civilized America, the only way a polar bear is going to slow us down is if one is standing on the interstate.

If Americans are going to make a change, I think it’s pretty well understood that we had better see an immediate and measurable impact that benefits us directly.

It’s hard for me to believe, or even care, that getting from point A to point B a few minutes slower than normal will have any effect on a polar bear living roughly 6,223,989 miles away. But tell me I could save 20 bucks and you’ve got my attention.

Gas costs around 4 dollars per gallon. And Americans use about a trillion gallons of gas per year. Yes, we probably should do something to reduce how much we use.

Normally I’m the first to write off a group like drive55.org as extremists, but this time, I could be influenced enough to agree. The math is simple: we drive slower, we use less gas, we pay less in fuel costs. Count me in.

Of course that also means we have to drive slower. A lot slower. Would Americans be willing to do that? Absolutely not. I think most of us would rather pay the speeding tickets than slow to a pace our grandfathers would approve of.

But what if the consequences were a little more severe? What if a revoked driver’s license loomed on the horizon if you crested it at 75 MPH?

If I were the boss at drive55.org, that’s what I would demand. If the group wants some serious attention, they should advocate for consequences that actually mean something close to home.

Saving the polar bears just isn’t going to cut it.

If this country is serious about reducing it’s consumption of gasoline, there are two things that will make a measurable impact immediately and require no new technology or infrastructure. The first has already happened: increased fuel prices. The second is lowering the speed limit, with severe consequences for breaking it.

- tgriffith

Alizium Auto Blogs

What is REVO EVOM?

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Did GM betray Americans?

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The 5 coolest movie cars of all time!

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The new look of the American auto industry?

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What bankruptcy would mean for automakers

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Forget the government, let Big Oil bail out the auto industry!

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2009: The year GM dies?

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The $20 fill up that changes everything

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The world’s biggest Chevy dealer has closed… and keep your eyes open for more

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