I was all set to post a scathing rant on the American Clean Energy and Security Act but thought it would be like putting the cart before the horse. I’ve decided there is still time for those in Congress to at least read it before they vote. If it passes I will post it.
Since GM became Government Motors and Chrysler became a non-issue, let’s talk a little about cars. Next year the Mustang will be the only rear-wheel-drive car in the Ford lineup. Yes, Ford has announced the end of the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis/Town Car trio. Say goodbye to another old friend.
First quarter profit/loss numbers are out and they don’t look good. Toyota lost $6.9 billion, GM lost $5.9 billion, Honday lost $2.9 billion, Nissan lost $2.8 billion, Daimler AG lost $1.7 billion, Ford lost $1.4 billion. You get the idea. The experts tried to soften the blow by saying these figures are for global operations. I’m sure that makes these companies feel much better.
The new CAFE standards are in. Automakers will have to average 35.5 mpg accross their fleets in less than seven years. The goal of the EPA is to cut greenhouse gasses by 30 percent in the same time frame. Give me strength.
In my latest SEMA SAN newsletter the group was patting themselves on the back. While I usually agree with everything the group does we are at odds over the clunker bill. SEMA claimed victory by getting cars older than 25 years old (1984) excempt from the bill. They call it a compromise, I call it a sell out. They also said ok to not being able to buy a motor out of the scrapped vehicles, but being allowed to buy the rest of the drivetrain. Even then we would have to buy the transmission, driveshaft, and rearend separately.
Am I the only one who is getting really tired hearing one side of the global warming issue. It wouldn’t be so bad if they would let experts who disagree debate the issue. If these people really care about the environment and not their bottom line, why not have an intelligent debate?
I also don’t understand Obama’s “my way or the highway” stand on this issue. We know he doesn’t like coal-fired power plants but there are alternatives. In an age when we have CO2 scrubbers, the technology to reburn the CO2 or even turn it into baking soda; why shut them down?
I heard about a 220 mph bullet train being proposed for the midwest somewhere. It got me thinking. If we’re going to end up in underpowered, undersized, Obama Electricmobiles; do we really want these trains crossing our roadways?
And lastly, I’ve noticed something going on with my coffee. I’m old enough to remember when you bought a can of coffee that weighed 3 pounds (48 ounces). The last one we bought weighed 2 pounds 2.5 ounces (34.5 ounces). This new can seems to take up the same amount of cupboard space as the old one. So are lighter fillers added, less coffee, or is there more air in the can? I don’t like my coffee being messed with.
Comments are always welcome.