Off the Pedal

How long and winding will the road of Toyota’s recovery be? Well, of course, step one is to find the cause, right? But what if there is no cause… at least, no equipment failure. Consider 56 fatalities involving sudden acceleration analyzed by the LA Times.

In the 24 cases where driver age was reported or readily inferred, the drivers included those of the ages 60, 61, 63, 66, 68, 71, 72, 72, 77, 79, 83, 85, 89–and I’m leaving out the son whose age wasn’t identified, but whose 94-year-old father died as a passenger.

Did you notice that in each of those cases the drive was 60 or older? What if sudden acceleration is really a case of… irrational exuberance? Perhaps you’re wondering how such an incident might unfold.

A driver would step on the wrong pedal, panic when the car did not perform as expected, continue to mistake the accelerator for the brake, and press down on the accelerator even harder.

If this theory pans out, we’re talking about a series of senior moments. Self-imposed sudden acceleration!

This had disastrous consequences in a 1992 Washington Square Park incident that killed five and a 2003 Santa Monica Farmers’ Market incident that killed ten—the New York driver, Stella Maycheck, was 74 (and quite short); the California driver, George Russell Weller, 86.

Audi had similar problems ten years ago.

We’re seeing the same pattern again today.  Initial reports of a problem, followed by dozens of new reports “coming to light” as people seek to blame their earlier accidents on sudden acceleration.

Just imagine – if Toyota turns out to be innocent, the apology due the company from the media would dwarf the groveling that would be owed OJ Simpson if one day he actually does corner the real killer on the 12th hole!

Even if one believes all the hype, the reaction so far has been a giant overreaction.  Fifty-odd deaths over 10 years and millions of Toyotas is a drop in the bucket compared to the general risk of being on the road at all.

This could be very good news for Toyota, and very bad news for senior drivers.

[Via http://realclearthinker.com]

The Big Day

Well, thought I was headed to meet my man from Lyle Pearson Volvo, who’d been kind enough to offer to meet me more than half way in Idaho Falls, ID with Sven the long awaited Volvo XC60.  But my understanding has changed a little.  I’m still going to IF to get the car, but I’m meeting another Volvo owner, who was in Boise on Friday doing business and hoping to pick up his new XC70, but it’s still stuck in customs and didn’t arrive.  So, apparently, my man at Lyle Pearson asked this other guy, Jack to drive my car to IF for him, since they live there anyway.  But no one asked ME if that was cool. I had all this paperwork I’m supposed to bring with me to sign, does Jack have the authority to dot he paperwork?  I’m a little confused.  And,  just out of curiosity, what would have happened if Jack had gotten into an accident?  Who’s insurance would that be under?

My husband commented that I’ve been very patient, but I may have just lostg some of that patience.

SERENITY NOW!  breathe deeply, we’re going to go get Sven right now…

[Via http://flyingtodrive.wordpress.com]

2011 Audi A1 S-Line

Audi unveiled the S-Line package for the new A1 small hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show. And even if it adds no performance upgrades, the S-Line package adds a more dynamic appearance.

The package includes: 17- or 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, S line sport suspension with dynamic suspension tuning, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and sport seats. At the exterior the A1 S-Line gets revised front bumper, a larger roof-mounted spoiler and a rear diffuser.

Also, if so desired, components such as the seat covers, the air nozzle housings and the inlays in the doors can be painted in fresh, expressive colors.

[Via http://autowheel.wordpress.com]

Can we still drive safely? Almost every car manufacturer has to recall cars. An Overview

It was, still is big news, Toyota has to recall 8.5 millions of cars due a problem in the braking system.

 Nissan announced today that 539.864 cars will be recalled to break pedals and fuel gauges.  They announced that no accident has happened yet.

 This seems like big news today, but this happens all the time and the good news is that most manufacturers fix the problem,  On the other hand, some of the issue are rather serious, like airbag issues, fuel tank issue.

 Some small overview

 Last Sunday, 28-2-2010,  GM recalls 1.3 millions Chevrolet and Pontiac Compact Cars sold in USA, Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail.
They blame partially the supplier which is again owned by Toyota
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8544989.stm

 Daihatsu recalls 60.000 vehicles due to faulty airbags that could accidentally inflate

 Suzuki recalls vehicles related to 2005 – 2009 models of its Every Van and Mazda Scrum who is build for its partner company.

Peugeot Citroen recalls 90.000 cars made in Czech Republic of accelerator pedal fears

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/jan/31/peugeot-recall-cars-accelerator-pedals

 In December 2009, Renault recalls Koleas in china due a steering effect

 In October 2009, Ford recalled 4.5 million vehicles, equipped with Texas Instruments speed control deactivation switches.  

In 2001 Mercedes recalls 150.000 cars due airbag issues; in 2007 Mercedes recalled 130.000 vehicles in Germany,

In 2008, BMW recalls 150.000 vehicles due a Airbag senor fix http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLE72003720080814

Volkswagen, September 2009, recalls the Audi TT, TT Roadster and A3 due a problem fuel tank ventilation valve issue, which in some circumstance can put the car on fire

http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/1_audi_recalls.htm

 Conclusion
The positive news is that most of time, no deadly accidents happened and the manufacturers reacted fast.

Do we need to be afraid of driving cars?  I don’t think so, the change of having a deadly accident is much higher due a human fault then the previous described recalls but as customer we have to react even faster in the future and we must expect higher quality for the high price we pay for the car.

 Drive safely!!!

In case you know some other car manufacturers recalled their vehicles, let me know, we add to the list.

[Via http://frederikvanlierde.wordpress.com]

Famous Logo Evolutions

A brand’s logo is arguably the most important part of it’s image.  Yes, it is literally an image, but a logo is more than just that.  A good one communicates certain emotions and feelings.

Logos have come a long way over the years, both visually and “emotionally.”  Here’s an interesting look at some well-known brands and how they’ve evolved.

Apple

Microsoft

IBM

Firefox

Google

Canon

Nokia

Shell

Playboy

WWF

Nike

Pepsi

Coca Cola

Starbucks

Adobe

FedEx

Walmart

Volkswagon

BMW

Audi

Underground Art Concepts

Haha, you know I had to throw that last one in there.  If you’d like more info on the logo evolutions, check Bored Panda for a great rundown.

-Bendey

[Via http://topbestautonews.wordpress.com]

Doyle's green dream is our nightmare

Audi recently ran a commercial that illuminates our present situation, highlighting the “Green Police.” Al Gore smiled broadly, thinking to himself that Utopia has finally been achieved.

 Jim Doyle probably smiled, thinking that Wisconsin will soon mirror Audi’s green world with the passage of his Clean Energy Jobs Act. But Utopia will be the farthest thing from the reality of living in a world with higher gas taxes, mandated energy efficiency improvements on our homes, strict emissions standards and limits on how long you can idle in your car every hour. Instead, we will be living in a green Orwellian nightmare if Doyle gets his way.

 The commercial depicts Paul Blart-like envirocops frisking a hapless shopper who choose plastic over paper, a late-night snacker caught in a helicopter spotlight for simply throwing away an orange rind, and a homeowner being dragged from his home for using incandescent light bulbs. The only way to avoid these humiliations is to conform to the green rules and regulations of the “Green Police,” or to buy Audi’s Clean Diesel vehicles.

Some may say Audi was using the absurd to guilt gullible Americans into buying their cars. However, there are real green police lurking out there — Israeli officers enforce the edicts of the Ministry of Environmental Protection; New York has a Department of Environmental Conservation with a force affectionately called the “Green Police;” and the United Kingdom employs a squad dressed in green jackets to monitor for excessive CO2 emissions. I don’t think Audi was using the absurd, the company was tapping into reality.

If Gore and Doyle get their way, the scenes in the commercial will be the tip of the iceberg. Forget the cold, icy stares for not having a canvas bag at Sendik’s, instead worry about holding onto your job when Wisconsin businesses are saddled with higher energy costs and forced conservation. According to Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the Clean Energy Jobs Act could eliminate up to 43,000 jobs.

“Manufacturing jobs depend on affordable energy and affordable electricity,” said Scott Manley, WMC director of environmental policy. The WMC also feels the Wisconsin-only global warming initiative will place our state and workers at a competitive disadvantage in terms of energy costs, tax rates and regulations.

And the WMC are not alone. More than 60 percent of voters polled last year said solving global warming is not simply a Wisconsin issue to solve and that they did not favor Doyle’s proposals.

If job losses aren’t enough to cool enthusiasm for Doyle’s legislation, what about the provision that would limit your choice of electronic gadgetry? Doyle is proposing the prohibition of certain consumer electronics that use more than a specified amount of electricity in “standby mode.” If your iPod, Smart phone or Blackberry doesn’t meet Jim’s standards, there could be fines of up to $100 for each device sold or offered for sale.

With all that in store for us if Doyle’s misnamed “Clean Energy Jobs Act” is enacted, maybe Audi’s Green Police world isn’t all that bad.

[Via http://govfreak.wordpress.com]

On the Move

TheTalkyOne by novero is a sleek and minimally designed universal Bluetooth® speakerphone with a single touch button – ideal for taking calls and streaming music wirelessly in the car, home or office. Debuting in cool white and chrome, its slim shape is designed to provide a truly uninhibited mobile experience, one that allows your mobile life to exist wherever you are.

It can be securely positioned on any number of surfaces, including sun-visors and sloping dashboards. Its multipoint capabilities allow two phones to be connected at the same time and its crystal clear speakerphone and supreme noise cancellation technology can turn any call into a conference call.

novero develops, produces and distributes wireless communications solutions, which seamlessly fit into people’s lifestyles. After the automotive division successfully separated from Nokia in 2008, the novero team used its creativity and experience to create a new line of wireless products for car makers and end users. novero provides built-in bluetooth solutions to customers like Audi, Mercedes, Bentley, Volkswagen and BMW.

[Via http://avantoure.wordpress.com]