The Importance of Engineering

I wonder: With all of the drastic downsizing that has been and continues to go on in the U.S. auto industry, how many bright, young engineering students who are at colleges and universities right now (OK, maybe they’re home for summer right now, but let’s imagine this is the fall) think: “Gee, I can’t wait to get my degree so that I can get a job at ________________ (fill in with favorite domestic or Italian American company).” That thought reminds me of the Monster.com ad with the kids talking about what they want to be when they grow up (e.g., “brown nose,” “yes man,” “yes woman,” and, most telling for these times, “I wanna be forced into early retirement”).

While there are many people bemoaning the plight of the domestics and claiming that the fault lies in people buying non-domestic vehicles, that is to point to a symptom and claim that it is a cause. – Read More

2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

2009 F-150 Lariat 4x4

2009 Volkswagen Routan SE

2009 Touareg 2 TDI

2010 Kia Soul Sport

Driven Archives

How Not to Test Drive a Convertible
Here’s an important tip:  if you ever go to test drive a convertible, don’t put the envelope containing your deposit money on the passenger seat and drive off with the top down.  That’s exactly what a German man did during his test drive, resulting in a windfall of cash for his fellow drivers. – Read More

From the People Who Brought You Tang
While the Tang-Space Program relationship might be the stuff of urban legend, here’s a bit of space transportation news that might give you pause.  The International Space Station has just been equipped with a new recycling system that recycles water.  Yes, we mean that. – Read More

Speedy Grandma
A 95-year-old Israeli woman will have to give up her driver’s license for a month and appear before a judge after she was cited for doing 85 mph in a 60 mph zone.  The woman told the police “the way was clear so I put down the pedal.”   Her rationalization didn’t help. – Read More

The Really Friendly Skies
Here’s a demographic that car companies probably haven’t tapped into: Lonely hearts.  But Air New Zealand is, encouraging U.S. singles to “get amongst it” during a special series of flights in October to promote the Great Matchmaking Ball in Auckland. – Read More

The World’s Most Expensive Drink
Norway authorities levied a $109,000 fine against a wealthy businessman after he was caught driving drunk for a total of 400 meters (about 1,300 feet).  The country levies fines based on a person’s ability to pay. – Read More

Upcoming Industry Events:

International Robotics, Vision & Motion Control Show - June 9-11
MoldMaking Expo ’09 – June 22–26
Time Compression Expo ’09
June 22–26
Management Briefing Seminars
Aug 4-7

The Reset Button
Bankruptcy. The word has an ominous sound to it.  For many of us in this industry, we’re experiencing first-hand what its like to go through such a process, as we buckle under the pressure caused by the government’s demand that Chrysler go through the bankruptcy process—and GM’s likely procession in the next few weeks.  ...Read More