Toy-woe-ta

It will take some time to sort through the headlines and analysis of this recall crisis, but it's worth repeating that we here at J and D Auto Talk saw this coming two years ago, going on record in February 2008 (Toyota production is down - no kidding) with a follow up in August of that same year (Hey Toyota, I hate to say "I told you so...").

We were bang on, not based on regurgitating what every one else was saying at the time, but by our own sifting of the available data through the filter of our own way of looking at the industry. This process doesn't go half-baked, so stay tuned, we'll have a thought on this before too long.

Oh no, not another one

David Welch is writing that VW is the car giant to watch, and why is that? Well, because "Volkswagen is bent on displacing Toyota as the world's biggest car company—and it just may succeed."

Part of VW's strategy? Abandon their odd ball attempt to move upscale (which made no sense to me since they already have Audi doing quite well and the entire concept of Volkswagen - "the people's car" - was to be affordable), and move into the entry level cars. So, basically, more volume of low-profit margin vehicles - oy vey!

Hey, Volkswagen, please see

• Toyota production is down - no kidding 
• Hey Toyota, I hate to say "I told you so..."

I agree with Premier McGuinty, drivers should decide

It certainly doesn't happen often that I find myself saying "I agree with Premier McGuinty", but in this case, I do. All drivers - seniors included - must be responsible for deciding when it's time to stop driving, rather than tightening legislation, regulation and enforcement on the arbitrary basis of age.

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.