Honda has decided that the Fit will not fit into the US right now. The decision was based on the fact that they don’t think the public is willingly to pay the extra dollars for a hybrid.Honda has always been on the forefront by making sound business decisions and have always done due diligence before making a decision such as this, they also do the research necessary to reach a sound conclusion. This does not bode well for the numerous startup companies and a few established ones also that are getting ready to preview a hybrid in the next year. I just don’t see the public stepping up to the plate and spending the extra dollars and then having to install a connection to charge. I don’t think battery technology has advanced to where it is reliable and longevity is still a question. I have been wrong on occasion and only time will tell if the electric car will be accepted
All posts by John
Lincoln Cutting Dealerships
After eliminating Mercury from their inventory now Ford Motor Co. is going to cut 500 dealerships and evaluate 700 more. I always thought the idea of sales was to make your product available to the public. Ford sold 230,000 Lincolns in 1990 and 82,000 in 2009. This is going to be a ship that is going to be hard to turn around. On the other hand Lexus has only 230 dealers and sell twice as many vehicles as Lincoln. Hello it’s a Lexus Ford you cannot compete with them by closing dealerships. I assume most of these are underperforming spots that probably need to update their facilities and what a better way to force them to improve there dealerships then to threaten to close. Many of these cannot afford to update and so will close at the loss of jobs and the trickle down here is huge as many additional jobs will also be lost. “We’re fully committed to transforming Lincoln into a world-class luxury brand with compelling vehicles and also a consumer experience to match,” Ford’s Americas President Mark Fields said. I just don’t see how they can compete at this level with the BMW, Lexus and I think Cadillac needs to be included as a serious luxury vehicle. Also many luxury car buyers will be taking a serious look at some of the green vehicles coming out in the next year.
New Tools
There are 2 new tools on the market which I think are worth a mention.Black and Decker has introduced a ReadyWrench that is a set of sockets on one handle. I think this is a great idea. I carry a small assortment of tools in my vehicle, I don’t know how much use they would be with the cramped engine compartments, but I carry them anyway. Which sockets to include has always been a question. This tool will not replace a socket set but it will do in an emergency. It is rather bulky for some applications but the ability to hold it vertically and spin it like a screwdriver is rather useful. The Gator Grip has been around for awhile but the one recently released by Endeavor Tool Company has a total of 54 rods that do the work and this is a vast improvement as the early models had fewer and larger rods which made it useless. For removing rusted, rounded or odd shaped bolts and nuts this is a great addition to your toolbox. Normally I would not have given this s second look but when it was in with other Craftsman tools at a Sears I Figured it was worth a second look and once again Sears comes across with a winner.
Chrysler Dropping Dakota
Rumors are traveling around that Chrysler may drop the Dodge Dakota or possibly downsize it to more of a compact commuter or the Baby Ram pickup. The Baby Ram will average 30 MPG and have room for 4. The recent Chrysler meeting on the Fiat line hinted that the Dakota will take a more lifestyle direction. They also announced a 2012 Viper and hinted at a Jeep Gladiator pickup possibly to replace the Dakota. A New luxurious Longhorn model will be introduced with a logo removable belt buckle in the floor mat. They are supposed to introduce a new logo but as a belt buckle in the floor mat, it’s a truck Chrysler not a jewelry counter. On another sad note note Pontiac is only producing the Vibe for 2010. I have owned 4 Pontiac Bonneville’s and my wife is driving one now. In my opinion, discounting a few luxury cars, read spendy; this is one of the finest cars ever built. It has an excellent ride, gets great MPG and has a sporty look. I also own a Dodge Dakota, which I love it is my second Dakota. I had the first one for 15 years, I would have kept it but I needed a quad cab for grandkids. . What does Detroit have against me every time I find a vehicle I like they discontinue it. I know times are tough but they could cut the execs pay and severance packages and continuing producing a number of car lines.
Start Your Engines
At the start of the Indy 500 Mary Holman George is introduced by the announcer saying” and now for the most hallowed words in racing followed by “Gentleman start your engines. Why do so many NASCAR races demean these hallowed words? Kevin James and the other idiot comic doing some strange dance to some fool from Sylvania turning on a huge switch to start the NHMS race. I can maybe go along with a VERY short Thank you to employees or including them as part of the announcement but that is it, less than 10 words, but preferably just the announcement. I would imagine that the tracks are having a problem getting corporate sponsors for races and are having to bend to get the sponsors on board. Just remember these are hallowed words of racing not a commercial.
100 MPG Avion
In 1984 an Avion went from Mexico to the Canadian border and averaged 103.7 MPG. The car was far ahead of its time and never took off. The Avion is trying again with another trip. The original vehicle was made from recycled parts. It is going into limited production and should be available soon. No information as to price or if it will again use recycled parts. It requires only 3-6 horsepower to maintain highway speed due to its reduced drag many hours were spent in the wind tunnel to achieve this. It has an aluminum frame and a monocoque body, similar to aircraft construction. I like the gull wing doors and the different configuration for the head lights. A transverse engine mounted behind the passengers. Looking forward to more info on this. [url”>http://www.100mpgplus.com/
Coolant Replacement
I live a little farther North than most of you so the taste of Fall is in the air. I know it was a 109% in Phoenix yesterday so you folks don’t worry about engine coolant freeze up but you do still need a clean and efficient cooling system. Flushing a cooling system is pretty simple the problem is to remove all the old coolant if you are going to change to a different type. The most you can hope to remove by draining is about 70% and this is by using a few tricks such as jacking up the rear of the vehicle and running it 30 seconds or so. Refilling the cooling system and warming up the engine will also help even doing this a couple times will remove more of the old coolant. The only tool available to the DIY, due to cost, is an air pressure driven vacuum tool, that will remove about 90% on a good day, this tool also makes refilling a snap as the coolant is drawn in by vacuum. Do not use GM orange lifetime coolant. In the test facility this worked great but the smallest leak that allows some air into the system can cause major corrosion problems. I use good old green anti freeze as with oil stick with a major brand they have a few more additives such as rust prevention and water pump lube . I also recommend A can of additive but not with a leak prevention feature. Any name brand water pump lube and corrosion prevention will work. I know this is a difficult for most DIY but properly dispose of you old coolant most cities have a hazardous waste facility where you can dispose of it.
Ethanol Based Fuels
I have been on the wire for some time about the use of ethanol based fuels. I think the savings gained is lost by lower mileage and power I have always been concerned about the fact ethanol is a cleaner and unless your vehicle is newer it can break loose gunk and cause all kinds of problems. In addition it can cause a breakdown of gaskets and seals. Further research has been done on the forming of formic acid, an E-85 byproduct, and unless the correct oil is used it can cause major problems. So with there being no advantage including not saving dollars I am not recommending the use of ethanol based fuels. If you insist on using it I would not recommend synthetic oil and would change the oil at 3000 miles regardless of the manufacture recommendation.The only reason I used it in the winter was I thought it helped with moisture in the fuel tank but that is incorrect.
Chili Pepper Heat Scale
Not auto repair but I thought this was worth sharing.[url”>http://ushotstuff.com/Heat.Scale.htm
Tesla Volt Or Leaf
With the Tesla electric roadster selling for 100K, after the federal incentive, I don’t think it is a marketable product. They have sold a 1000 units since released to the public in December of 2009 but they have to purchase 2400 chassis from Lotus by the end of 2011 or pay a penalty. The startup company has taken all the founders funds, Elon Musk and he sold back the majority of his stock during the IPO. The Chevy Volt is coming out later this year with a price tag of $41,000 and the Nissan Leaf priced at $32,000 before a $7500 federal incentive. The Volt is still pricey for a small car with no luxury and I doubt if the sales will be what GM has forecast. It is however a hybrid and does offer extended driving range compared to the Tesla, 244 miles on a charge, or the Leaf at 100 miles per charge with a final price tag after the incentive of 25K I think this will sell but as far as the Volt or Tesla time will tell. GM has their future staked on the Volt but I don’t think the battery technology is where it needs to be to make a total electric something the motoring public is going to stand in line to buy. In addition to the purchase price of the car the cost to install a plug in station runs $1200to$1800. Leaf stands for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable. So Korea is building a battery plant in Detroit, with over half paid by government funds, maybe the battery situation will improve I doubt it but at least there is hope.