cartalkwithtim

Is there anyone out there interested in automotive?

I have been watching the campaigning that has already begun and have wondered to myself if America is too big to fail?  I work in the automotive industry and watched as the government bailed out GM, Chrysler and several banks.  I believe we set out to do the right thing but as we watch the bubble expand, our credit rating decline and our government grow while liberty declines, I wonder if what we did was right.  The 2012 elections are more important than ever and we must consider the future of our country with our vote.  The unfortunate thing about the crisis we face is that entitlements, special interests and foreign aid must all be rained in which will damage many people in the world.  Our future in this country is faced with hard decisions that will leave many people disappointed but if we do not face these issues head on and change our path America will fail.  The government must balance the budget and cease putting off these hard decisions and cuts because our failure will push our country and the world into a financial collapse that will affect almost everyone on this planet.  Please pay attention to the issue’s and vote for the candidates that will renew our government by making the hard decisions that will return us to health.

Why can’t I get a deal like this?

The Federal Government and US Treasury have closed a deal with Fiat to purchase the remaining shares of Chrysler Group LLC which represents 98,461 shares or 6 percent of the US automaker for $500 million.  Good news right?   But you need to hear the rest of the story, Fiat pays $500 million for the 6 percent interest in Chrysler Group LLC but in turn the US Treasury and Federal Government is forgiving $1.3 billion from the bailout to rescue the  automaker from bankruptcy in 2009.  So basically the Fed and US Treasury paid Fiat $800 million to buy Chrysler Group LLC.  So out of the $1.3 billion Fiat should have paid we as taxpayers take the hit and Fiat walks away with the $800 million in cash.  What am I missing?  It is no wonder the national debt is out of control.

I want Chrysler and GM to be successful but not at the expense of the taxpayer!!

Read more at: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/90050435?US%20Treasury%20announces%20Fiat%20will%20buy%20its%20remaining%20shares%20of%20Chrysler%20for%20%24500m#ixzz1UVB3hbG4

Who says America Automakers can’t build quality cars.  Take a look at this Reuters article:

July 12 (Reuters) – Volkswagen of America was ranked No. 1
in overall quality, according to a survey of U.S. consumers
released on Tuesday.

 The survey, by industry-supported research firm Strategic
Vision, asked car owners to rate all aspects of ownership, from
the process of buying a vehicle to its performance. The 2011
survey included 37,069 buyers of 2011 model-year vehicles from
September to December 2010.
Corporation             Total quality     Percent reporting

                      index score          problems
Volkswagen of America        881                 27
Ford Motor Co*               863                 28
American Honda Motor*        862                 19
Nissan Motor Corp*           862                 21
INDUSTRY AVERAGE             861                 24
General Motors Co**          860                 27
Toyota Motor Sales           854                 20
Chrysler Group               853                 28
Hyundai Motor America        852                 28
* Statistical tie
** Excludes Saab
 (Reporting by Clare Baldwin; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

Happy 4th of July and play safe people!  Please take a moment to remember the sacrifices that the men, woman and families of our armed forces who have made our freedom possible here in America!  Live your dreams, pursue happiness and live the life you were meant to live!

Buy American and Be American!

A customer comes into a dealer to request that a part he purchased be installed on his vehicle.  He purchased the part at another automotive parts supplier and just needs a technician to install the part.  The dealer agrees and installs the part as requested on the customer’s vehicle.  A day later the customer goes back to the dealer to complain he is still having the problem, no start.  The dealer double checks their workmanship finding no issue’s but does diagnose the part is defective because it is leaking internally and externally.  The problem however would only have been discovered if the vehicle had a full tank of gas at the time of installation. The customer takes the part back to the parts store he purchased it from and finds the new part he purchased is defective.  The parts store agreed that they did sell a defective part and only offers to replace the part or refund his money.  They refused to reimburse his cost for labor siting the warranty only covers the part.  He later returns to the dealer demanding a full refund because the dealer did not know the part that he brought was defective?  The car was towed in because it did not run, but once it was repaired the vehicle left under its own power.  Who is at fault?  The parts supplier or dealer and who should pay?

Chrysler Group LLC wants to expand its dealer network in China. Chrysler has 127 dealerships covering the market in China, and wants to add 50 dealers in the next two to three years. Chrysler wants to expand and grow world wide seeking to improve sales in the US, China and Europe.  You can read more at Automotive News:

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110623/GLOBAL03/306239823/1131#ixzz1QXJjG41v

Well it has finally happened and we have order our first Chevrolet Volts.  This vehicle is going to be fantastic and even though it has a base price of $40K I believe it will sell very well.  Check the articles out on-line and let me know what you think?

Why doesn’t anyone talk about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco model with a six-speed manual gearbox that gets 42 MPG?  This EPA rating makes the Cruze Eco the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid vehicle in America!   What is up with that????

The numbers are in for May and it is official, the Detroit Big 3 were the Big 3 in May.   The Chrysler Group out sold Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. and American Honda, moving in to 3rd place behind General Motors and Ford Motor.  God it is good to be back!!  Toyota was NOT anywhere to be found amoung the top 10 best selling units in American!