Car talk

Alex Wolf, Baltimore, Maryland — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:12:52 GMT

I was disappointed this evening watching Mr. Williams reporting from the Chrysler plant as the trucks rolled out behind him. The obvious question which Mr. Williams did not ask the CEO of Chrysler was why did the big three fight increased fuel efficiency standards for over 30 years? Also the quality issue is not an issue of perception but one of reality. One only needs to read Consumer Reports or the other major automotive magazines to recognize the fuel efficiency, quality and the environment have all taken a back seat to Detroit's greed for profits.

Car talk

Brad Kruse, Ponca City, OK — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:23:57 GMT

A couple of points.

One is that Ford Motor, at least, uses foreign parts, and assembles vehicles in Canada and Mexico, to keep various vehicles and product lines out of the CAFE figures. A Ford F-150 I used to own proudly stated on the tag in the door "Assembled in Canada". My point? Push Detroit to go more 'green' and you will push more parts and assembly jobs outside the US to 'optimize' their CAFE score. And you won't be changing their practices or fuel efficiencies. You will need to get some of the definitions changed, such as 'include every vehicle sold to a US-licensed operator'. And hold your breath while the lobbyists get the rewrite done to keep Detroit profitable.

Another point. The three Toyota's I have owned since 1975 have all gotten better mileage between 70 and 75 mph than at 60. My 92 Ford Explorer Wagon also gets better mileage over 70 mph. Watch the '10% savings' blanket statements.

Also warn people that trading cars consumes a *lot* of energy - coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other forms of energy - in mining and producing raw materials, making parts, assembling the vehicle, shipping vehicles to the point of sale. To the point that you have to own that 'more efficient' vehicle more than 5 years to equal the energy you would have save - continuing to drive that 'inefficient' vehicle (I read that somewhere, I forget the number of years the study arrived at, I think it was closer to 7-10). That is: to save energy, keep your car for five (5) years before trading. But manufacturers don't want to publish *that* simple way to go 'green'. Just like they don't want you to compare vehicles to buy the one with lower vehicle weight.

Car talk

Laurence Jeris — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:26:51 GMT

Dear Brian Williams,
Thank you for the outstanding report on our beloved Detroit!
Laurence Jeris

Car talk

DENNIS AND KAREN KAZMEROWSKI — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:22:49 GMT

BRIAN---I JUST WATCHED YOUR PIECE ON THE AMERICAN CAR IND.---YOU SHOULD SHOW ALL THE PLANTS THAT HAVE CLOSED AND VACANT LAND DUE TO LACK OF SUPPORT FOR OUR OWN AMERICAN MADE AUTOS---OH I KNOW THE ARGUMENT ABOUT THE TOYOTAS--VWS---BMW PLANTS IN THE USA--ALL I AM SAYING IS WE ALL SHOULD GIVE OUR AUTO MANUFACTURES ANOTHER CHANCE -I AM SURE WE WOULD ALL BE SURPRISED----IF YOU LOVE YOUR FREEDOM AND THE LIFE THIS COUNTRY ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE THAN SHOW IT---I KNOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY EVERYTHING FROM THE USA BUT YOU HAVE TO START SOMEHWERE--WE OWN --2 JEEPS --A CHEVY SUBURAN AND A FORD DUALLY---AND HAPPY WITH ALL OF THEM---HAVE WE HAD SOME MINOR PROBLEMS---YES---BUT THE SUBURAN HAS 180,000 MILES AND THE FORD TRUCK 297,000----IF SOMETHING BREAKS YOU FIX IT---WE AS A COUNTRY MAKE WONDERFULL PRODUCTS---BUY IT ---USE IT-------THE KIDS THAT FIGHT EVERYDAY FOR YOUR FREEDOM GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT----

Car talk

Todd Salesky, Chino Hills, Ca — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:40:25 GMT

Good Bye Domestic Cars!

I grew up in Michigan. My father worked
for Ford for over 35 years. He started
on the line and retired as an executive.

Every day, he has to now worries about
losing his re-tirement package and
health care. He gave his life for this
company. I love my father, but he was
not around as a child because he was
always worried about losing his job
because of cuts to Ford. I remember in
the 70's and my mom telling us to be
on our best behavior because they
might close the plant and my dad
might be out of a job. My dad worked
excessively to better the auto industry.

As a young adult, I felt an obligation to
buy Ford products. Ford provided for my
family for so long. My family did live better
than other family's in our community.

I am a teacher and has always broke the
bank to buy a car. I would used my fathers
ford discount to buy my car. I did feel
like I got a bargain compared to people who didn't
have the Ford plan.

However, that is where it ends.
I think the lack of service by Ford
dealers and their lack of honesty in
service is stunning. It is almost like
they are doing me a favor for dropping
off my vehicle. I have had to stand in
100 degree heat while some arrogant
customer service rep writes my vehicle up. I then
get a call when I drop the vehicle off
for an excessive amount of money for
a nomial amount of work.

I drove Ford and Lincolns my entire life
and I did enjoy the cars but buying one
is another story. You drive up and can't
even look at the cars with-out being
hounded. "When are you going to buy, Do
you have a trade in?". Since, the internet
I have snuck onto the lots to view the cars.

I was so distraught with the salesmen and
service. We bought a Volvo. We had to
stretch our budget but the service was very
good. We pull up in the service bay. They
tell you to please go sit in the customer
waiting area while they get they information\
off your vehicle. I felt important and not
just the next few bucks for the dealer.

My wife's and my income has doubled in the
last few years and we can now afford a
nice vehicle of our choice. The Chevy corvette
looked like an appealing vehicle with its
high ratings and style. I visited the local
Chevy dealer and wasn't anything more than
some wanna-be off the street guy who wanted to see
an interior of a Corvette. They didn't
even offer a test drive. I was disgusted so
we went to look for a BMW.

I arrived after calling to the dealer. An
agent, brought the car that I was interested
out front. He opened the drivers door and
said "Lets take this down the road". I offered
my drivers license as was necessary to be
presented at the local domestic dealers but the
salesman said "No Worries". I felt
no stress and bought the car. I am picking
up the car tomorrow.

For the same price as high end domestic car,
I received 4 years 50,000 miles worth of
warranty and maintaince.

My wife and I will no longer buy domestics.
Goodbye Detroit!

Todd Salesky
Computer Science Teacher
Brea Olinda High School
Brea, CA 91709

e-mail: sale_math@hotmail.com

Car talk

Michael DelRosso,Ford, NJ — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 13:05:26 GMT

Brian, with the price of gas going through the roof how can you interview the former President of Toyota, one of the most fuel efficient companies, who now is President of one of the most fuel INEFFICIENT auto companies, and not ask the question that's on everyones mind... Mr.Press who can you justify building these hugh pickup trucks that get 10 MPG?

Car talk

Author Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:40:07 GMT

I feel the most cut-to-the-chase solutions for many of the worlds problems would be to live communally and thereby have greater and much more substantial abilities to work RIGHT FROM HOME. Hybrid cars are great and certainly part of the solution, but there really isn't much a mere service economy does that we cannot do for ourselves in the professionally equipped shops and offices of a true communal home.

By living communally, we gain many advantages as it only takes one fully featured kitchen, dining room, and utility room to meet the needs of a group of people. With up to 85% less space devoted to these areas, it saves space for other offices, shops, craft and project areas that can truly allow us to work productively right were we live.

When we make things for ourselves like our own clothing we gain much higher quality at less cost as well as having pride in our work... something sourly lacking in today's world.

Fortunately, working from home and becoming much more SELF-SUFFICIENT than we are is not only good for the environment, it is also the ABSOLUTE KEY to better coping with disasters, economic downturns, pandemics and the like. When done correctly with a home that maintains our individual privacy and standard of living, I see no reason not to investigate this potential more. Chris