The Scent of an Industry

“It is safe to assume that many shoppers who normally would be tempted by ‘new car smell’ and the latest automotive technology made a more cost-conscious decision because of economic pressures.”  That was Dr. David Tompkins, senior analyst at Edmunds.com, speculating on the fact that in the three months leading up to mid-February, some 511,000 used cars were sold, a healthy percentage of which would have otherwise been new cars.  He speculated that of the total, 343,000 started out looking for a used set of wheels, even though they might have ordinarily gone for new, while 167,000 went in pursuing something fresh but during the buying process came to the realization that they’d better go for something that had already been owned.

That people are buying cars of any sort ought to be taken as a glass half-full.  Not that it does OEMs or suppliers much good (unless the used car buyers are buying vast quantities of factory-authorized service parts).  But at least there is some sort of dealer traffic.  ...Read More

2009 Nissan Maxima

2009 Acura TL SH-AWD

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

2009 Chevrolet Traverse

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5

Driven Archives

The New Biofuel
Forget about E85, biodiesel and hydrogen—tomorrow’s fuel may be Acapulco Gold. That’s what one driver in Sandy, UT, discovered when he took his newly purchased, used Nissan Armada to his local mechanic to see why his gas gauge never fell below half-full. – Read More

Lost in Translation
Irish police have cracked a crime epidemic in their country and the culprit doesn’t exist. Officers who had issued traffic tickets to Polish drivers discovered jarring similarities in their identities. They all went by the name “Prawo Jazdy.” Detectives tried finding Mr. Jazdy, to no avail.
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Gaming to the System
These tough economic times are even impacting criminals. 83-year-old Kosztor Sandorne—known as the “Flying Gizi” in her home country of Hungary because she was convicted more than 20 times for breaking into homes and fleeing via commercial aircraft—has shifted her tactics to a more affordable mode of transport . – Read More

Stupid Criminals Part 34
A team of burglars in Bellevue, WA, were thwarted by their victim when they broke into a home and left their getaway van in the driveway with the engine running. Homeowner Patrick Rosario heard the scofflaws enter his home when he was in the basement and he quickly called 9-1-1 and headed for the door. – Read More

“Here’s Your $%#& Burrito”
Police in Sedalia, MO, are on the hunt for pranksters who violated city ordinances when they hacked into the drive-thru radio system of a local Taco Bell and began shouting vulgarities at customers as they placed their orders. Workers at The Bell said they planned to press charges against “the little &^(*$%” if they are caught. – Read More

Upcoming Industry Events:
Hannover MESSE – Apr. 20-24
PMTS 2009 – Apr. 28-30
OESA: The Smart Approach to Tooling Mar. 11
Great Designs in Steel – May 13

Other People’s Money
Although the TV viewers on Sunday morning (March 1, 2009) might have been a bit down at the RenCen, if there were TVs on at Chrysler HQ in Auburn Hills, the silence must have been deafening, because during the broadcast of “CBS News’ Face the Nation” with Bob Schieffer, during which time White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel  ...Read More