Hot lap with Tommy Byrne at Mid-Ohio

Here's me (D) in an Acura TSX with Tommy Byrne, the greatest race car driver you never heard of. In front of us? That's J, holding him off!

Fuel efficiency - it's on

A Hybrid Shocker

The article itself discusses research into using the up-and-down motion of shock absorbers to create electrical energy.

The line that most excites me is when the suggestion is made that "In the quest for renewable, sustainable energy for transport, no moving part will escape the gaze of scientists."

And it makes sense, doesn't it? If there is a component or part that, in the normal activity of doing what it does, it can also do something else, namely contribute to generating energy, we're going to find it, and put it to work.

Hyundai diesel is coming

This is big news, and I am plenty excited.

For too long, Volkswagen has been allowed to play, virtually alone in the North American market, as pretty much the only diesel offering in a car under $25,000. With this near monopoly, they have been able to settle into a smug complacency as the only game in town. If you asked the average TDI owner (say, a member of the TDIClub), the majority would probably say they'd never own a gas VW, and only have a VW because they are diesel people.

One less opinion out there

The purpose of a blog is many-fold, not the least of which to capture, in real time, thoughts and reflections on the topic at hand.

In the auto industry, there's been no shortage of stuff upon which to reflect these days. And there's been no shortage of opinions out there.

Of course, I've got plenty as well. But, I shall refrain. I've kept draft entries here for my own sense of documentation - at some point I may or may not bother to post them. Perhaps what might be interesting is to see how things ultimately shake down and then post them - unedited - with the benefit of "after the fact hindsight", just for kicks.

Before I sign off for this entry, I must at least register where I stand on the bailout question - if you've been reading this blog at all, I'm sure you will have already guessed but, for the record, I am absolutely opposed to a bailout of the "Big 3". I share this position with J.

Hey Toyota, I hate to say "I told you so..."

Today, a headline screamed -  Toyota reports a 28-percent plunge in profit.

It reminds me of an entry I made to this blog back in February  - Toyota production down - no kidding.

There are far more numbers-oriented analyses available out there that may explain this story with much more detail. But one thing in the recent article that jumps out at me is the following statement: "Koji Endo, auto analyst at Credit Suisse in Tokyo, said the troubles at Toyota in maintaining profits and vehicle sales were worse than it looked on the surface because of what he characterized as some bookkeeping stunts that were boosting the numbers." Inordinate focusing on sales at the cost of integrity or just plain good-faith business practices is a harbinger of woe - if they cut corners on the reporting or the books, might they also cut corners on quality, fit and finish, value...?

Some Love for the beleaguered motor car

Being mobile is a part of being human. Sure, we don't fly like birds or swim like fish, but we've managed to emulate and adapt beyond our physical limitations more than any other creature in the known universe - we get around.

Mobility is, however, about more than just getting around. It's also about independence, it's about freedom, it's about quality of life, and it's about privacy. What do I mean by that?

Oil on the brain, and pretty much everywhere else

I am all for efficient vehicles that use less or, better yet, no petroleum whatsoever. However, I'd like to remind all those self-righteous people who do not drive that they are still a part of the problem, even if they think the price of gas is neither their fault nor their problem.

Here's a partial list of items that are made from oil. If you buy any of these items, you are a part of the demand for oil...