So, our first stop in our drive around the auto blog block is a stop-light reverie: Imagine that you are a noted automotive industry expert and your phone rings. It's GM's Rick Wagoner who wants to know your take on buying Chrysler.
"Well, Rick, let's see, GM is saddled with massive healthcare and retirement costs from a long-bloated unionized workforce and a model lineup that is still playing catchup to the Japanese in key areas and big new challenges from them in profit-critical areas like trucks," you say.
"And Chrysler is saddled with massive healthcare and retirement costs from a long-bloated unionized workforce and a model lineup that is also playing catchup to the Japanese in several critical areas," you continue. "Yeah, that makes sense, we've still got our own problems to solve, so let's pay Dr. Z for what's left of Bob Eaton's day of doom. That oughta fix GM for good."
"I, uh, see what you mean," he replies, then hangs up.
Now back to the auto blog world where we find quite similar reactions. Paul Kedorsky at Infectious Greed is highly skeptical that GM will buy Chrysler and is running a poll on the question in which you can cast your vote here.
Over at The Auto Writer, there is as much skepticism about a GM deal coming about, along with recognition hope springs eternal for a white knight, any white knight, when 13,000 people face layoffs.
But leave it to The Truth About Cars' Robert Farago to put the matter most colorfully by noting that "given Chrysler’s financials, crushing union obligations and 'throw it against the wall and see what sticks' product plans, Dieter would have to find the Mother of All Suckers to buy Chrysler."
Somehow I have a feeling we will be stopping here again next week.
Down in Daytona, Michael Waltrip ... well, Mikey just plain screwed up BIG TIME. No, he didn't put the jet fuel in his #55 Toyota Camry that was discovered during a pre-qualifying race inspection.
And I believe him when he says he didn't know it had been done by somebody on his crew. But why let him race in the Big One even after levying the biggest fine in NASCAR history and boosting two of his top crew members into the racing world's purgatory of indefinite suspension?
Fast Machines' Scott Keller says it's because Mikey is so funny in all those TV spots that will be airing before, during and after the race. That's Racing' blogger Trent Cherry - also a tire changer for the Penske team - says all that cheatin' sooner or later is gonna catch up with NASCAR, just like it did for Major League Baseball, track and field, boxing, and other sports.
Here's my theory: The script writers at NASCAR Central have outdone themselves with this one. Mikey has two Daytona 500 wins but both have black asteriks, one involving Dale's death and the other a monsoon that shortened the race. Mikey does lots of commentary and TV spots, some of which are occasionally even funny. He's definitely a white hat kind of guy.
Now, having just been handed the biggest cheating fine in NASCAR history and driving for THE JAPANESE INVADER, Mikey is also the guy wearing the black hat. So Mikey is both the good guy and the bad guy, all at the same time.
But wait! There's more!! Mikey is driving the first Toyota in the field and word around the garage is the backup car he will be driving is fast. If he wins on Sunday, it's redemption time and fairy tale ending time and JAPANESE INVADER wins time, all wrapped up in one incredible ratings-busting monster of a Great American Race. This might even beat Cale and Donnie sluggin' it out in the turn three infield.
You heard it here first, friends.
There were other things going on around the auto blog block this week, like Valentine's Day. Joe Sherwood at The View Through the Windshield got an Afla Romeo Disco Volante from his sweetheart.. Now that is a woman who understands her man! There was this for Valentines, too, at GM's FYI blog.
Over in another corner of the Edmunds.com blogging empire, Joanne at The Driving Woman has the details on several significant car safety developments from NHTSA this week.
Remember the Copperhead? Edward Sanchez at The Car Blog does and he's hoping the just-unveiled Dodge Demon roadster isn't a repeat performance.
Hey, Auto Prophet, where are you these days?
Is an Airborne Mini a four-wheel wonder or a flying minature? Serious Wheels has the answer, in photos. Jalopnik has a Ford billboard that you must see. But ya gotta be sober to see it.
And finally as we pull into the driveway for this week, just be thankful we didn't have to go through this intersection in St. Petersburg, courtesy of CARSCOOP. That's St. Petersburg, Russia.
Don't forget! Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of cars using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
But leave it to The Truth About Cars' Robert Farago to put the matter most colorfully by noting that "given Chrysler’s financials, crushing union obligations and 'throw it against the wall and see what sticks' product plans, Dieter would have to find the Mother of All Suckers to buy Chrysler."
Somehow I have a feeling we will be stopping here again next week.
Down in Daytona, Michael Waltrip ... well, Mikey just plain screwed up BIG TIME. No, he didn't put the jet fuel in his #55 Toyota Camry that was discovered during a pre-qualifying race inspection.
And I believe him when he says he didn't know it had been done by somebody on his crew. But why let him race in the Big One even after levying the biggest fine in NASCAR history and boosting two of his top crew members into the racing world's purgatory of indefinite suspension?
Fast Machines' Scott Keller says it's because Mikey is so funny in all those TV spots that will be airing before, during and after the race. That's Racing' blogger Trent Cherry - also a tire changer for the Penske team - says all that cheatin' sooner or later is gonna catch up with NASCAR, just like it did for Major League Baseball, track and field, boxing, and other sports.
Here's my theory: The script writers at NASCAR Central have outdone themselves with this one. Mikey has two Daytona 500 wins but both have black asteriks, one involving Dale's death and the other a monsoon that shortened the race. Mikey does lots of commentary and TV spots, some of which are occasionally even funny. He's definitely a white hat kind of guy.
Now, having just been handed the biggest cheating fine in NASCAR history and driving for THE JAPANESE INVADER, Mikey is also the guy wearing the black hat. So Mikey is both the good guy and the bad guy, all at the same time.
But wait! There's more!! Mikey is driving the first Toyota in the field and word around the garage is the backup car he will be driving is fast. If he wins on Sunday, it's redemption time and fairy tale ending time and JAPANESE INVADER wins time, all wrapped up in one incredible ratings-busting monster of a Great American Race. This might even beat Cale and Donnie sluggin' it out in the turn three infield.
You heard it here first, friends.
There were other things going on around the auto blog block this week, like Valentine's Day. Joe Sherwood at The View Through the Windshield got an Afla Romeo Disco Volante from his sweetheart.. Now that is a woman who understands her man! There was this for Valentines, too, at GM's FYI blog.
Over in another corner of the Edmunds.com blogging empire, Joanne at The Driving Woman has the details on several significant car safety developments from NHTSA this week.
Remember the Copperhead? Edward Sanchez at The Car Blog does and he's hoping the just-unveiled Dodge Demon roadster isn't a repeat performance.
Hey, Auto Prophet, where are you these days?
Is an Airborne Mini a four-wheel wonder or a flying minature? Serious Wheels has the answer, in photos. Jalopnik has a Ford billboard that you must see. But ya gotta be sober to see it.
And finally as we pull into the driveway for this week, just be thankful we didn't have to go through this intersection in St. Petersburg, courtesy of CARSCOOP. That's St. Petersburg, Russia.
Don't forget! Submit your blog article to the next edition of carnival of cars using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
chuckr2 says:
07:56 PM, 02/16/07
Mr Tapscott,
Great post as usual. Glad to see you up and running again, just sorry I did not get my post in. I agree with your thoughts on GM buying Chrysler. GM needs to take care of their own situation before they tackle another. I sell GM cars so I have a front row seat on what customers are saying. GM Value priceing has driven many customers away. They agree with the concept of not marking the cars up as much, but in the same sentence want to see the large discounts they have grown accustomed to getting. Like they say, time will heal all wounds...
joela says:
10:46 AM, 02/21/07
copperhead?