More thoughts on the state of things.

Continuing on from yesterday's ramblings, its just frustrating. Partially, I'm frustrated with Daimler's handling of its Chrysler division. We have some great vehicles on the road. The 300/Charger/Magnum is a solid vehicle. Our minivans are pretty good. The new Caliber and Sebring are fine as well. The Jeep line is, well for people who want a Jeep. You know who you are.

But, even though its been obvious for a number of years now that the price of gas is only going to go higher, they along with other manufacturers, have been slow to realize this. Part of the problem is what I addressed yesterday. People want things that are almost mutually exclusive with today's technology. Also, people don't realize how much their own driving habits effect their gas mileage. But, while this has been going on we've introduced only 2 smaller cars. The Caliber and the Sebring. The Compass by Jeep technically fits into this area as well.

The problem Chrysler now has to overcome, even though they now offer a number of vehicles that get good gas mileage, especially with our "shiftless" CVT transmissions, is of the lumbering truck and SUV builder. This image will be tough to shed. Toyota, which makes a number of large trucks and SUVs that get atrocious gas mileage, is viewed as being a more fuel efficient manufacturer. This is true in that the Corolla, Yaris, Prius, and other cars and small SUVs get great MPG. However, as a whole, their lineup isn't that far ahead of Chrysler's in overall MPG. Part of Chrysler's problem would be the drag down from vehicles in multiple lines. (ie. the Durango/Aspen, the Nitro/Liberty, etc.)

Chrysler, while continuing to look to the future (and hopefully get a hybrid out on the road as well as some clean diesels out there), needs desparately to change their overall image.

This leads me into their global position however. Daimler has done some great things for Chrysler's quality. Our transmissions aren't junk anymore being a big point. But, since their labor costs in the US are so high, many parts are built all over the world, usually by the lowest bidder I would assume. (Or the cheapest labor spots.) This has lead to some quality issues that should have been easily avoided. Sensors have been an issue, often built in Mexico or Eastern Europe. They are not huge problems. But little annoyances are what make people not buy a brand again. I understand globalization, don't get me wrong. BUT, quality has to take precedence over price at some point.

Parts will fail, that is assured. There is no such thing as reaching 100% quality. But even if most of the parts fail under warranty, its still annoying to the customer. They want to drive their car, not sit at the dealership.

This is why I'm so concerned about Chrysler's partnering with a Chinese car company. I'm concerned that in pursuit of profits they will end up shooting themselves in the foot. America can't compete with Chinese labor costs. And, so far, Chinese quality is not that good. That and the fact they are a repressive communist regime with an atrocious human rights record at home and abroad. (Think Darfur...) This is getting long and really rambling. I apologize. But we all need to wake up. Americans need to wake up. DaimlerChrysler needs to wake up. The world is constantly changing I understand. American doesn't provide for itself anymore. We trade with other countries. We do need to remember though, we must produce SOMETHING in order to survive as the nation we are. Everyone can't have a service job. I guess we'll see.

End of Day

End of Day. That's the button I have to hit on my UPS Worldship program if I've sent any packages that day. Sometimes I wish my job had a button like that too. Just hit the button and I'd get to go home with a full day's pay! Yeah right.

I work in the auto industry. The glorious parts department of a Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership. I enjoy my job. Sure it has its down points like all do, but overall its very interesting and I learn new stuff daily, which is important for me to STAY interested in my job.

Unfortunately, DaimlerChrysler isn't doing so hot right now. Sales in from dealerships in our area were off about 40% in June from May. And July is even worse. Not so good. I'll rant sometime on my problems with DaimlerChrysler's approach. Some things they are doing great at, others frustrate the heck out of me.

However, part of the problem is also the average car consumer. Note, I said average. Not the person who really researches their vehicle based on MPG or reliability or horsepower. The average car buyer has NO idea what they want. They want economy. (ie. cheap!) They want quality. They want lots of options. They want fuel efficiency. They want big. (Vans, SUVs, trucks) Now, due to gas prices bigger SUVs and truck sales have plummetted. But some buyers still don't understand the vehicles they shelled out lots of money for.

A case in point. A woman was complaining that her Jeep Commander, a big box on wheels, was only getting 14-15 mpg on the highway. Granted, even for this vehicle that seems a little low, but I don't know how she drives it. The vehicle only has a 3.7L engine that produces 210hp. Not a ton of power to move a giant box at 70+ miles an hour. I'm not sure what she was expecting.

Part of the problem begins in sales. They are geared to sell cars, I understand this. And that is important. But don't let a customer buy a large vehicle with a V6 engine expecting better fuel economy. You most likely won't see the benefits on the highway. Possibly in the city, but even then you are accelerating a large object with an engine that must work harder to do so.

Its frustrating because DC is putting out some decent vehicles right now, and too many people are just ignoring them. And too many people didn't understand what they were purchasing and now are dissatisfied when buying next engine bigger, or the next higher trim line might have solved the issue. Some companies like Hyundai and their Kia line have figured out how to mix price and options and quality. DC is trying to do that, but has to overcome much higher production costs. Hopefully, they'll be able to do this now that they have been bought out mostly.

The environment and webcomics

Alright. First, a little frustration to vent. I'm frustrated at rich celebrities, of any stripe, who are suddenly jumping on the "green" bandwagon. I guess I should have stated that I fully support sensible environmental action. Spewing toxins and carbon dioxide into the air is bad. Cutting down too many trees is bad. Over-fishing is bad.

However, I have a problem with many of these people. They buy a Prius, or 'biodegradable' clothes or the newest 'green' appliances. All of that is well and good. BUT! Do you really need a 15,000 square foot home? AND a vacation house?

The response is "I buy carbon credits." As if that somehow makes it ok. What many people, especially wealthier people do not seem to understand about preventing environmental change is that it is going to require a change in lifestyle. A DRASTIC change in lifestyle. We must reduce consumption, not just buy a clean conscience. All that does is push all the real changes off onto the poor people who cannot buy credits.

I am not against credits. Say a singer or movie star or politician has to fly alot for their job. Ok, buy some carbon credits to off-set that. That's great. But, when you go to build a house, build it 'green' yes, but conserve too. I don't care how 'green' a house is built, it'll be a lot more green at 3000 sq ft. than at 15000 sq. ft. All you'll do if you have more space is fill it up with stuff that no matter how energy efficient is going to use energy. It seems the "REDUCE" part of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is being forgotten. And that is not good. I'm concerned that being 'green' is becoming so trendy, that it will become just that, a trend, and not have a lasting impact.

I understand that we NEED to change, but we aren't. We're still just consuming and cosuming and consuming. We must consume some to keep the economy going, BUT at what environmental cost? I'll write more some other day.

The other part, webcomics. Ahh, such wonderfulness. (That is now a word.) Check out PvP. (http://www.pvponline.com/) Check out Sheldon. (http://www.sheldoncomics.com/) Check out Starslip Crisis. (http://www.starslip.com/) Check out Schlock Mercenary. (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/) What artistry, what wit, what fun! If you enjoy the funnies, webcomics is where it is at because aside from Get Fuzzy and Pearls Before Swine and maybe one or two others, there ain't much out there. And they are all so heavily censored and I don't just mean cursing. The web is where creativity is completely allowed to roam free. Check these guys out and others. Then, if you like them, buy a book, or a shirt, or an original art piece. These guys are good.

Reality...

Ok, so the Sox pry aren't gonna get Ichiro...there are still other options. T. Hunter or A.R. would both work. More than serviceable. And then you'd have a few bucks left over to say...fix your 2nd baseman and shortstop, and maybe pick up right and left fielders too.

Ah well. Too bad A.R. couldn't 'grind' out a single in the All-Star game and LaRussa wouldn't put in Pujols. WHAT IS WITH THAT!? Has Tony totally lost it? Trouble in St. Louis? I guess so! Well Tony, you got your World Series here, you can go and we'll keep Albert.

Bah, that's about all there is to say. Bah.

White sox...

Why not start my new blog with some random thoughts on the White Sox. I became a Sox fan during their '05 World Series year, not just as a bandwagon jumper, but also because I started listening to 670 WSCR the Score out of Chicago.

Being a Cardinals fan #1 (yes, you can root for 2 teams, especially when they are in different leagues) its actually easier for me to follow the Sox and everything surrounding them because of 670. No St. Louis sports talk gets up my way.

So, all that pointlessness out of the way, here it is. The Sox are dead this year. Sox fans need to accept this. Its over. The season is done so its time to see what you have for next year.

Step 1. Trade any position player you can besides AJ and Paulie K. (Even them if you could get enough.) It no longer matters if you win 30, 50, 70% of the games this year, look to 08 and 09.

Step 2. Play the young guys. Fields is doing ok. Bring up Owens, and Sweeny and anyone else who MIGHT possibly have a future in the bigs. If they suck, oh well. This season is done and you need to know what you have.

Step 3. Look at who you want to sign. For some reason many Sox fans are enamoured with Aaron Rowan. (Spelling?) Good hard player, good guy. BUT! Would you rather have Rowan or Ichiro patrolling center? Ichiro of course! Lets just keep it sensible, not sentimental. Nothing wrong with A.R. But he's not Ichiro. Also, you won't get a big name guy for every position. But the Cardinals won the WS with a rag-tag team that got hot at the right time. (And 2 guys little Davey Eckstein and big Albert Pujols.)

Remember all you Sox fans out there. This season is lost. Prepare for next year!