A Chilly Summer!

Today its raining and about 60 degrees. Another day in Michigan paradise.

This is a shot from the Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon, Michigan. On a nice day in June this beach would be jammed. Not today.

It seems that summer just refuses to arrive. Hopefully, this weekend it will shine upon us. The National Weather Service is predicting some fine weather in the mid-70's. Finally!

On the job front here in Michigan, it is still rather gloomy. The latest issue concerning Chrysler's sale to Fiat has been allowed to go forward. The upper management of Chrysler has been replaced by the CEO of Fiat, the dealership ranks have been trimmed drastically, and the labor contracts renegotiated.

I still don't understand.

One commentary mentioned the current offerings were still heavy into the SUV and truck market, with few if any new vehicles in the immediate works for better fuel efficiency. The thought was mentioned that regardless of the market mix of vehicles, and the desire of the consumer to purchase these vehicles, could the consumer afford them?

It seems to me there is still the culture of huge in this country. The only thing holding people back from continuing on the same old road of bigger is better is the economy and the unstable fuel prices. If fuel stays near $2.00 a gallon, there is no question in my mind that SUVs and trucks will remain King.

All you have to do is read one review of a "smaller" car to realize no one in the current American auto industry gets it. An article I read the other day, I think it was on the Ford Focus, stated that the ride was harsh. Its a small car, it doesn't weigh 5000 pounds and have tires that come mid-way up my chest. Perhaps another reason its ride is harsh is because the roads in this state are so bad.

The design standard for "luxury" cars in North America is based on the concept of "road isolation". Eliminate all outside disturbances from the experience of "driving". This would include noise, road feel, shifting, and performance. The only thing that is left is the feeling of floating. Don't try to complete any evasive actions as the body will roll on the suspension like a breaching whale. But its got a smooth ride.

How can a Cadillac and a Mercedes be in the same luxury category? One has seats of foam that you sink into like a marshmallow, with a ride that eliminates all road feedback. The other has firm well supportive seats, with handling that gives confidence at speeds called insane her in the US.

I have dealt directly with several of the "Big 3's" assembly plant for quite some time. This was supplying parts that were either provided as bulk, same parts in totes, or sequenced as the the vehicles were to be assembled on the line. The only feeling I ever got when I was in the plants was one of arrogance and intimidation. It was all about how the only reason more cars and trucks weren't being sold was because of the suppliers.



I happened to see this poster on despair.com web site yesterday. I thought it was quite truthful. My experiences have for the most part been ones that included threats, intimidation, humiliation and disrespect. Plant managers would tell me they had never seen anything worse then the door handle that happened to arrive at their plant with a 0.8 mm dirt speck in the paint. Oh, and by the way that was noticed after the vehicle had made it through their entire assembly process. I've been screamed at, forced to sort thousands of parts for one dirt speck in the paint, threatened with line shutdown if we did not immediately comply with their demands, and treated disrespectfully when evidence leads to determine the assembly plant caused the problem in the first place.

This goes along with their marketing process also. One of Ford's only selling auto lines, the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr, (again why do they need three) is entirely assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico. One third of the Chevy Suburbans were assembled in Mexico. The Chrysler PT Cruiser, and the Dodge Journey are made in Toluca Mexico.

But all the advertising tells us to "buy American". Many of my friends say they have to "buy American" because one or more of their family works for one of the "big Three".

I have never purchased a vehicle from GM, Ford or Chrysler. At this point I have no plans or desire to either. I have never owned anything other then a four cylinder engine until I purchased a used Subaru Forester. I don't haul huge trailers, I have no need to drive around alone in a 7-8 passenger vehicle for the one trip out of 1000 that might include 7 or 8 people.

Then there is the "safety" issue. I think one of the reasons that there is the impression that people need to protect themselves while driving is that there is no perceived need to drive well. So, the notion is that I must protect myself from the other guy that is drunk, talking on the cell phone, texting, reading, running red lights, or just generally bored with the whole affair. Driving is not viewed as a task that requires great attention or discipline. Hence the lackadaisical draping of the wrist over the top of the steering wheel while traveling 80 mph down the highway.

Put yourself in a vehicle that handles well, pay attention, don't drive like an idiot and perhaps there would be less need for behemoths.



There seems to be a need for a drastic change. We continue to see the unemployment rate at its highest level in 25 years, the number of people claiming unemployment benefits for at least a week is at 6.8 million, the highest number since 1967.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of the auto industry. I predict an immediate return to traditional business as usual if fuel prices stay low. This country as a whole is so polarized in our vies of what needs to be done to help boost the overall economy. The world economy has become one of globalization. Most of the corporations are world wide in pursuit of profits, including the "big 3". One of the newest trends is alternative energy, the US is losing out on that push also. The US is way behind in pursuing the use of these new methods and the distribution of energy. Many other countries are way ahead of us.

In this state of Michigan, one of the large energy producers, Consumers Energy, is pursuing building another coal fired plant, when all indications are that there are methods of producing energy by alternative means readily available. I can't understand the desire to have a 600 foot smoke stack spewing effluent instead of some wind mills. I see no logical comparison.

We shall see.