Recent Comments:
Netflix no longer carrying HD DVDs as of December 15th {Engadget HD}
Nov 14th 2008 11:53PM Fry's had a number of HD titles on sale this week for less than $10.
Acura dealer takes the TL's nose in for rhinoplasty {Autoblog}
Oct 21st 2008 8:23AM I don't know why all the noise?
The Honda guy who originally spec'd the painted Element fenders likes the new shield. I remember times (1985) when all of the models were outstanding especially in comparison with their contemporaries.
Whut happened?
Fuel-sipping diesel European minivans - is one right for you? {Autoblog Green}
Sep 9th 2008 12:02PM While they forced refiners to get the sulfur out of our diesel our cetane (same as octane in gas) is way below what is used in Europe. Imagine how hard it would be to meet US emission standards with kerosene or white gas? That is sort of the challenge European car makers have with certifying diesels in the US.
The US government could do us a favor (for a change) by establishing a cetane requirement for diesel. While they are at it why not just adopt European emission and safety (maybe kill the pedestrian part) standards so that cars could freely crisscross the Atlantic?
Fuel-sipping diesel European minivans - is one right for you? {Autoblog Green}
Sep 9th 2008 9:20AM The S-Max gets better mileage than what is listed. It gets better than 45 mpg (US) at 80 mph with 3 on board.
MDI's AirCar hits the streets, no one is safe. Especially not the air. Or the cars. {Engadget}
Aug 23rd 2008 10:54AM MDI is a sham. Go look at their web site. They have been "in business" for many years yet have not released one car for review. Look at most of the published articles and who published them. Won't bore you with the science but when you look at all the cascading conversion inefficiencies there is no way the system will deliver the speed and range claimed. It is far more efficient to take electricity, charge a battery and turn a motor. Not that long ago NPR did a story on them (by some addle-brained female) and a MDI spokes person suggested that they could put a compressor one of the wheels to recapture energy such that it could continue without any additional energy (perpetual motion). For those that are worried about safety you wouldn't believe what a FRP air tank looks like after it is ruptured. If it were in a car it would be a race on which would happen first: the widows would blow out or your eardrums would meet in the middle. For those that want more info Wiki is a good start.
Another research firm asserts that BDs will overtake DVDs in 2012 {Engadget HD}
Aug 20th 2008 2:56PM First you quoted the article wrong - it's $200 by Xmas not $250.
Secondly, why is it right? Money.
The time will come when the second tier releases will have to make the decision "do we release in both formats (DVD and Bluray)"? and the answer will be n. Why? The cost of producing the DVD in the face of declining sales won’t make it worth it. It will be like the BR/HD-DVD dilemma. The studios always will want to release one SKU for each movie. They know that if they neglect DVD they can drive that business over to BR. Remember all of those prognostications that HD-DVD's demise would take months or even years? It took only a few weeks before there was no B&M presence at all. I expect much the same will happen with DVD, it won't end with a whimper but a bang.
Volkswagen announces plans for factory in Chattanooga, Tenn. {Autoblog}
Jul 15th 2008 6:37PM You are so right. VWoA has a death wish. If sure the same folk that decided that having Chrysler build them a minvan was a good idea will take the point on the product design for the new plant.
VW, here is the route to Germanic success: take some model that is currently bought in some number in the US as well as Europe and build it here. BMW and MB do this with success. I know that Toyota and Honda make US only models but those only came once they had built a sizable base. You don’t have that, but you do have great models that currently have excessive cost bases. Make them cheaper and you are done.
One other suggestion: why not try to gain a competitive edge by allowing customers to custom build their car? It's odd that when the plants open there are glowing press releases regaling about how flexible the manufacturing system is, how paint colors can change quickly, and how zillion of permutations can be built effortlessly. In Europe dealer stocks are low and the idea of build to order is embraced by most. Why not leverage these systems to deliver the customer what he wants, not what some product planner decides.
The wealthy concerned about gas prices? Merc S-class sales fall {Autoblog}
Jul 14th 2008 4:50PM Mercedes forgot the model that used to provide more than half the sales: the 6cyl petrol and diesel models. The public stopped buying these models only because MB stopped selling them in the US. The rest of the world gets them, just not us. Just another sign of greed. We are the largest market outside of Germany yet get the smallest selection of powertrains.
Lower speed limit movement spreading as John Warner jumps aboard {Autoblog Green}
Jul 7th 2008 10:25PM I remember the last time fools reigned on this subject and a fact was presented that the energy required for outdoor advertising exceeded the fuel expected to be saved by the 55mph limit. Guess what? The lights stayed on.
If the goal is to save fuel why not examine all opportunities to save energy with minimal impact. You know all those "Energy Star" appliances? How much energy do the new refrigerators save? Not much they are finding out. People more often buy replacement refrigerators for style and convenience features not because the old one died. What do they do with the old ineficient fridge? They often put it in the garage to keep a few beers cold where it takes even more power to keep things cool.
The focus of this post is that there are many opportunities to save energy without seriously affecting how people live. Current highway death rates are far below those during the nationwide 55mph limit. Also for the simpletons that think that if we all drive 55 we will be doing with $3 gas - are you crazy? There was a time when major changes in American consumption had an effect on world prices. During those times the world price on oil was dependent on West Texas Intermediate crude prices. Now days the price is sent in the London commodity market. The small change in consumption by our driving 55 won't drop our prices a dollar - more likely a fraction of a cent to be enjoyed by not only us but by the rest of the world. Do you really want to drive 55 for that?
Honeywell offers Crystal series subwoofer cable {Engadget HD}
Jun 22nd 2008 8:39AM Come on mods, interconnect cable press releases are one thing but Honeywell? And then no pricing (not that anyone cared)? I would have rather had an ad on mortgage refinancing, online degrees, penile enhancement, pet mortuary or worse.
Or maybe some real news like Marantz/Denon are/have been sold.
I take it back, sort of. News of Monster Cable's bankruptcy will be met with huzzahs all around.
