I generally try to stay away from the everyday automotive news and reviews, which are regularly covered by the many mainstream auto blogs out there while preferring to focus on more colorful topics such as the role of modern oxygen sensor or how many models still come equipped with a cassette deck. (Click here if you don't know what a cassette or tape deck is) Some changes to my daily responsibilities combined with an absolutely crazy last 10 or so automotive-minded days, however, have changed my position somewhat as I am left with few alternatives other than to provide weekly recaps of all things interesting on one or more wheels.
To offer just a sample from this week in particular, consider the television news piece highlighting the crash (if you can call a 6 mph bumper "collision" a crash) results of eleven (11) luxury models to see how much damage they would endure. The results were disappointing to say the least and have no doubt sent a shiver through the collective spine insurance industry.
Of the eleven vehicles tested, the one sustaining the least amount (and that merits repeating, the least amount) of damage was the SAAB 9-3 will just over $5,000 in required repairs. At the other end of the spectrum (and in what in this case must be considered the "business" end) is the Infiniti G35, which suffered an unbelievable $14,000 in damage. To provide a framework for the test, which I am almost embarrassed to say wasn't unfairly aimed at somehow flipping the G35 over a few times, the speed was a brisk 6 mph, which is a whole 1 mph (or a speedy 18 inches per second) above the federally mandated 5 mph bumpers that have been around for decades. And yes, the object the cars ran into was immobile and generally bore the resemblance of another bumper.
So, let's get this straight, here are vehicles that would be perfectly comfortable (and safe?) driving down the Autobahn by a qualified/experienced driver at well over 100 mph all day long, yet when subjected to a tap at a speed that Joe Namath could still achieve walking backwards and they completely self-destruct faster than an Origami napkin at an all-you-can-eat BBQ rib-fest. Or, seen another way, drive your new G35 for two years or so and back into another car or light pole at the local supermarket and it is, um, totaled. Not terribly impressive. Apparently triumphs in drag co-efficiencies and aesthetic design come at a very high price indeed.
In another topic, the domestic automakers finally succumbed to foreign competitors in total deliveries at home, since, well ever. And while the writing has been on the wall for some time with all but the most inept PR agencies fully prepared, the actual tipping of the scales had an emotionally symbolic effect to all parties who now spend as much or more time protecting their pensions as they do assembling drive trains.
In what can only be an attempt to deflect attention away from the psychological loss of our home market to foreign-born competitors, Cerberus announced their new CEO as none other than controversial ex-Home Depot head, Bob Nardelli, in this week's about-(slap-in-your)-face to Tom LaSorda and Wolfgang Bernhard. Thanks Cerberus, we almost don't remember that other stuff.
So, as you can see, it has been a fun-filled week or so to say the least. At this rate, it would take something simply off the charts like the announcement of a Porsche Hybrid to top it.
Oh, wait.
Comments