Clone wars: Cats vs. Bananas
What are cats good for? Cats are our secret weapon in the war against the killer clones. If you are a highly educated person, you may realize that almost all the bananas we eat are clones. What people don't realize is that these clones aren't harmless plants. Oh, no, they are killers, just waiting for the time to strike. Fortunately Kitty ain't havin' it.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
American Axle Strike Effects multiply
It's not exactly the butterfly effect, but a strike at American Axle, hardly the largest auto supplier, has already idled six General Motors plants, and now supplier plants are starting to shut down as well. According to Automotive News, Lear Corp. has already laid off 1,000 workers and slowed down work in 7 plants. Magna International has also slowed its production. Autonews reports that lost production by GM is currently at 3,667 vehicles per day from six closed plants, but if the strike is not resolved, lost production could reach 16,884 cars per day by this coming Saturday.
It's not exactly the butterfly effect, but a strike at American Axle, hardly the largest auto supplier, has already idled six General Motors plants, and now supplier plants are starting to shut down as well. According to Automotive News, Lear Corp. has already laid off 1,000 workers and slowed down work in 7 plants. Magna International has also slowed its production. Autonews reports that lost production by GM is currently at 3,667 vehicles per day from six closed plants, but if the strike is not resolved, lost production could reach 16,884 cars per day by this coming Saturday.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Ariel Atom 500 V8
A fast car may have a power to weight ratio of 1 horsepower for every 20 lbs. The 1001 horsepower, 254 MPH, Bugatti Veyron has a 1/4 ratio. The Ariel Atom 500 V8 packs 500 horsepower into a package that weighs just over 1000 lbs. Per pound, it has twice the power of the Bugatti. Holy _____ . Supposedly, you can drive this on the street. I know I could -- for about five seconds. After that they'd be peeling me off the side of a building like a sticker. I don't know whether they'd be able to peel the smile off my face or not. Here's a clip of an Ariel Atom in action. I don't know whether it is the V8 or not.
A fast car may have a power to weight ratio of 1 horsepower for every 20 lbs. The 1001 horsepower, 254 MPH, Bugatti Veyron has a 1/4 ratio. The Ariel Atom 500 V8 packs 500 horsepower into a package that weighs just over 1000 lbs. Per pound, it has twice the power of the Bugatti. Holy _____ . Supposedly, you can drive this on the street. I know I could -- for about five seconds. After that they'd be peeling me off the side of a building like a sticker. I don't know whether they'd be able to peel the smile off my face or not. Here's a clip of an Ariel Atom in action. I don't know whether it is the V8 or not.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Predatory Lending Association
If you have 5 minutes to spare, check out http://www.predatorylendingassociation.com/. this is actually a parody website, spoofing the various industry-trade sites in the consumer lending industry, especially those relating to payday loans. predatorylendingassociation.com is basically an "honest" version of those sites.
Models or Not?
Netherlands for Healthcare
Finland for Education
Things have been flying at me right and left lately. Thank goodness for the exercise bike as an excuse to actually read some of it. I received my issue of the Public Citizen Health Letter which has a cover story discussing in detail the healthcare system in the Netherlands. The Dutch system has been hailed by some as an alternative to single payer plans and a model for adoption in the US. Public Citizen doesn't think so. Very briefly, the Dutch plan is a spiritual successor to the "managed competition" Clinton plan of the 1990s. The cornerstone of the plan is mandatory private insurance, with about 1/3 of the total premiums paid by the state through a health care tax. The biggest problem with the system per Public Citizen is the 30% administrative overhead consumed by the insurance companies. The system has limited benefits and does not actually provide universal care. The health letter is not available on line.
The second thing is a Wall Street Journal article about the education system in Finland. After objecting to my children's (public) school uniform policy, it is comforting to know that in Finland, where the schools beat all comers, there are no school uniforms. Surprisingly, children don't start school until age 7, and the classes are not differentiated by ability. Check out the story, it's an interesting read.
If you have 5 minutes to spare, check out http://www.predatorylendingassociation.com/. this is actually a parody website, spoofing the various industry-trade sites in the consumer lending industry, especially those relating to payday loans. predatorylendingassociation.com is basically an "honest" version of those sites.
Models or Not?
Netherlands for Healthcare
Finland for Education
Things have been flying at me right and left lately. Thank goodness for the exercise bike as an excuse to actually read some of it. I received my issue of the Public Citizen Health Letter which has a cover story discussing in detail the healthcare system in the Netherlands. The Dutch system has been hailed by some as an alternative to single payer plans and a model for adoption in the US. Public Citizen doesn't think so. Very briefly, the Dutch plan is a spiritual successor to the "managed competition" Clinton plan of the 1990s. The cornerstone of the plan is mandatory private insurance, with about 1/3 of the total premiums paid by the state through a health care tax. The biggest problem with the system per Public Citizen is the 30% administrative overhead consumed by the insurance companies. The system has limited benefits and does not actually provide universal care. The health letter is not available on line.
The second thing is a Wall Street Journal article about the education system in Finland. After objecting to my children's (public) school uniform policy, it is comforting to know that in Finland, where the schools beat all comers, there are no school uniforms. Surprisingly, children don't start school until age 7, and the classes are not differentiated by ability. Check out the story, it's an interesting read.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Chevy Beats Toyota
. . . but CR's Top 10 is an American 1
Consumer Reports' annual April Auto Issue should be hitting shelves and mailboxes as you read this. Consumer Reports is stingy with free online content, but its top picks in 10 categories is linked here. The good news for the traditional American automakers is that Consumer Reports ranks the newish Chevrolet Silverado ahead of the also newish Toyota Tundra, largely because of reliability problems with the Toyota V-8. Congratulations Chevrolet. The bad news is that none of the rest of the top ten picks is from any of the formerly Big 3 automakers, and none of the rest of the top ten are UAW-made.
. . . but CR's Top 10 is an American 1
Consumer Reports' annual April Auto Issue should be hitting shelves and mailboxes as you read this. Consumer Reports is stingy with free online content, but its top picks in 10 categories is linked here. The good news for the traditional American automakers is that Consumer Reports ranks the newish Chevrolet Silverado ahead of the also newish Toyota Tundra, largely because of reliability problems with the Toyota V-8. Congratulations Chevrolet. The bad news is that none of the rest of the top ten picks is from any of the formerly Big 3 automakers, and none of the rest of the top ten are UAW-made.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
"They're Lying Bastards"
Lenders are still not fulfilling Mortgage Workout Promises
Here's a link to a Reuters article that confirms what I've been seeing and hearing about concerning the alleged workout deals for problem mortgages. The writer, Nick Carey cites several sources in support of the conclusion that most consumers are not getting helped by foreclosure avoidance programs. On February 5, I called the loans that were being promised by the President's "Hope now" program Luna Loans. I call them Luna Loans because Harry Potter's pal, Luna Lovegood, is the only one who has ever seen them. Maybe we could call them "Great Pumpkin" loans, because you can see them if you are very, very, very sincere. No, I like the term "luna loan".
Lenders are still not fulfilling Mortgage Workout Promises
Here's a link to a Reuters article that confirms what I've been seeing and hearing about concerning the alleged workout deals for problem mortgages. The writer, Nick Carey cites several sources in support of the conclusion that most consumers are not getting helped by foreclosure avoidance programs. On February 5, I called the loans that were being promised by the President's "Hope now" program Luna Loans. I call them Luna Loans because Harry Potter's pal, Luna Lovegood, is the only one who has ever seen them. Maybe we could call them "Great Pumpkin" loans, because you can see them if you are very, very, very sincere. No, I like the term "luna loan".
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Dodge Journey: The First Review - and Maybe the Last Hurrah
One of my favorite auto reviews, Michael Karesh at thetruthaboutcars.com, has posted his review of the brand new Dodge Journey. It's linked here. Quite frankly, William Hung has received better reviews. The Dodge Journey replaces one of Chrysler's bread and butter vehicle lines, the short-wheelbase minivans. In this case, it appears that bread and butter has been replaced with government cheese.
I can actually save you some time in reading Michael Karesh's review. He thought the Journey handled alright, but he didn't like anything else about it. Note: if you follow Karesh's reviews at epinions.com, you'll find that he has scoured the car lots to find a three-row vehicle that is practical, but fun to drive. He didn't find it here. As far as quality control is concerned, here's a quote:
The Journey is actually the stretched-wheelbase, station wagon version of the Dodge Avenger. The Avenger has the dubious achievement of being the lowest scoring family sedan in Consumer Reports' current rankings, trailing even its loathsome stablemate, the Chrysler Sebring. In other words, I didn't have high expectations for the Journey.
Striking out with a new product is especially problematic for Chrysler, a company whose new product pipeline is not exactly filled to the brim. Now, let's say I'm a struggling auto maker, and I'm introducing an important new model at a very difficult time. I would say that it would generally be a bad idea to ship one to a reviewer that leaks like a sieve. It seems like Chrysler would do well to restart a production line with the old style (paid for) minivan, and plan on updating the powertrain as soon as possible. The Journey doesn't improve on price, space, performance, fuel efficiency or (probably) quality. In my opinion, it doesn't even improve on looks.
In the spirit of fairness, if I see a review of the Journey that contradicts what Mr. Karesh has to say, I'll mention it in the blog. If I get the chance to test one, I'll publish that as well.
By the way, the UAW is not responsible for the mess that Chrysler made of the Journey, the Journey is built in Mexico.
One of my favorite auto reviews, Michael Karesh at thetruthaboutcars.com, has posted his review of the brand new Dodge Journey. It's linked here. Quite frankly, William Hung has received better reviews. The Dodge Journey replaces one of Chrysler's bread and butter vehicle lines, the short-wheelbase minivans. In this case, it appears that bread and butter has been replaced with government cheese.
I can actually save you some time in reading Michael Karesh's review. He thought the Journey handled alright, but he didn't like anything else about it. Note: if you follow Karesh's reviews at epinions.com, you'll find that he has scoured the car lots to find a three-row vehicle that is practical, but fun to drive. He didn't find it here. As far as quality control is concerned, here's a quote:
And then there's quality control…The V6 had a quarter-inch of water in the front
passenger floorboard (promptly extracted via shop vac). The source was soon
revealed, as a gurgle could periodically be heard from the perimeter of the
sunroof and water rained down from the overhead console throughout the test
drive. Get this: it wasn't raining outside the car at the time; it had rained the previous
day.
The Journey is actually the stretched-wheelbase, station wagon version of the Dodge Avenger. The Avenger has the dubious achievement of being the lowest scoring family sedan in Consumer Reports' current rankings, trailing even its loathsome stablemate, the Chrysler Sebring. In other words, I didn't have high expectations for the Journey.
Striking out with a new product is especially problematic for Chrysler, a company whose new product pipeline is not exactly filled to the brim. Now, let's say I'm a struggling auto maker, and I'm introducing an important new model at a very difficult time. I would say that it would generally be a bad idea to ship one to a reviewer that leaks like a sieve. It seems like Chrysler would do well to restart a production line with the old style (paid for) minivan, and plan on updating the powertrain as soon as possible. The Journey doesn't improve on price, space, performance, fuel efficiency or (probably) quality. In my opinion, it doesn't even improve on looks.
In the spirit of fairness, if I see a review of the Journey that contradicts what Mr. Karesh has to say, I'll mention it in the blog. If I get the chance to test one, I'll publish that as well.
By the way, the UAW is not responsible for the mess that Chrysler made of the Journey, the Journey is built in Mexico.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
26.3 MPG in a Chevy Tahoe? No Way
Yes, Way - Per Mark Phelan
Mark Phelan, the auto reviewer for the Detroit Free Press has posted his (glowing) review of the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. During his test period, he reports an average MPG of 26.3 in all around driving, handily beating the EPA figures of 21-22. The Tahoe hybrid is a full hybrid (ala the Toyota Prius) unlike the GM hybrid cars currently marketed. Phelan's test vehicle, a fully-equipped 2-wheel-drive model, has a sticker price of $50,885. That's a big chunk of change, and much more than I have spent or plan to spend on a vehicle. On the other hand, there are some full-sized SUVs that cost more.
One can argue that once you get to this price level, the price of fuel even for a guzzler is a small portion of the cost of ownership. That's true. On the other hand, as Phelan points out, the annual savings in fuel costs (he calculates at $1330) between the hybrid Yukon and a comparable non-hybrid SUV is higher than the difference between, say, a Chevrolet Malibu and a Toyota Prius.
As a practical matter, innovations tend to originate on higher priced models, and as the experience curve results in refinements and cost savings, they trickle down to less expensive models. Viewed in that light, as a dollars and cents proposition, the hybrid option on the Tahoe might not make sense today, but as a harbinger for what's possible in the future, it's a positive development.
Yes, Way - Per Mark Phelan
Mark Phelan, the auto reviewer for the Detroit Free Press has posted his (glowing) review of the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. During his test period, he reports an average MPG of 26.3 in all around driving, handily beating the EPA figures of 21-22. The Tahoe hybrid is a full hybrid (ala the Toyota Prius) unlike the GM hybrid cars currently marketed. Phelan's test vehicle, a fully-equipped 2-wheel-drive model, has a sticker price of $50,885. That's a big chunk of change, and much more than I have spent or plan to spend on a vehicle. On the other hand, there are some full-sized SUVs that cost more.
One can argue that once you get to this price level, the price of fuel even for a guzzler is a small portion of the cost of ownership. That's true. On the other hand, as Phelan points out, the annual savings in fuel costs (he calculates at $1330) between the hybrid Yukon and a comparable non-hybrid SUV is higher than the difference between, say, a Chevrolet Malibu and a Toyota Prius.
As a practical matter, innovations tend to originate on higher priced models, and as the experience curve results in refinements and cost savings, they trickle down to less expensive models. Viewed in that light, as a dollars and cents proposition, the hybrid option on the Tahoe might not make sense today, but as a harbinger for what's possible in the future, it's a positive development.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
