Two Cheers for GM’s Chevrolet Volt

Update 11-19-09:
Here’s a review of the driving experience of the Chevy Volt from the New York Times:
Unlike many electrics, including the Tesla Roadster, the Volt’s electric drive has no whine. The car feels solid and planted on the road. Clicking the Sport button on the dashboard releases a bit more oomph than when in Normal [...]

GM Bankruptcy: Let’s Put on the Brakes

The Federal Government’s plan to force GM into bankruptcy and to own 70% of the company’s stock afterwards is a government takeover of unprecedented and historic proportions.  Before this happens, there are too many unanswered questions that should be answered, and Ralph Nader and Robert Weissman raise many good ones in today’s Wall Street Journal:
Millions [...]

GM to Furlough Salaried Employees

This from today’s Wall Street Journal:
General Motors Corp. confirmed Wednesday it will force salaried workers to take up to three months off each year with partial pay as part of an effort to reduce costs during its expected summer shutdown of its car-making plants.
The program, called Salaried Downtime Paid Absence Policy, states that salaried and [...]

Is it the recession fair game in advertising?

News14Carolina asked me this question the other day–you can see my interview here.  They heard about the new offer from Ford and GM to pay your car payment if you lose your job and wondered if this was an appropriate way to talk to consumers at this tight economic time.  Hyundai made this offer last [...]

Will Congress Now Run the Big Three Automakers?

On Monday, Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would set aside $25 billion to help the industry, drawing from the $700 billion fund created to stabilize financial markets. The legislation would allow the auto companies and parts suppliers to receive “bridge loans” of at least ten years with favorable interest rates. But there is resistance among [...]

Don’t Drink and Drive, Unless You Drink 12-Ounce Diet Cokes and Drive a Hybrid

We’ll, we dodged a bullet by leasing rather than buying our Toyota Highlander four years ago. We just turned it in, and even though we got hit with a $1200 disposal cost (including “excessive” wear and tear), at least we don’t have to worry about $4.00+ gasoline costs now that Karen is driving a [...]