OK, here's one for the Scooby Doo Detective Squad.
Here is another one for the detective squad. If you get a flag, you also get an abuse on your profile. You can click on the abuse and beneath it will show your transgression and who gave you the flag. I only have one flag from that guy a couple of years back but my profile shows 11 abuses? What gives?
OK, here's one for the Scooby Doo Detective Squad.
Here is another one for the detective squad. If you get a flag, you also get an abuse on your profile. You can click on the abuse and beneath it will show your transgression and who gave you the flag. I only have one flag from that guy a couple of years back but my profile shows 11 abuses? What gives?
Michaell....Maybe....in conferences all day Thursday and leave Friday. Flying from Chicago to Denver in the a.m. But, one of my peeps is picking me up at the airport, and I don't know what he has planned. Will know more tomorrow!
OK, here's one for the Scooby Doo Detective Squad.
Here is another one for the detective squad. If you get a flag, you also get an abuse on your profile. You can click on the abuse and beneath it will show your transgression and who gave you the flag. I only have one flag from that guy a couple of years back but my profile shows 11 abuses? What gives?
Means he REALLY didn't like your post.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Well, here's my daily post. Still waiting to put some miles on the new car, but that will have to wait. I've tried getting out of bed more often, but I still get some dizziness and shortness of breath. No more pain as best I can surmise.
Neighbor is coming over tomorrow to pick up my maintenance check and take it over to the main office. I did not have enough strength to take it over myself.
I tried to get my cleaning girls over for an hour or so, but they could not arrange a time.
I will try to get out to the garbage chute to dump some trash out of the house. About 50 steps each way - hopefully I can make it.
Well, here's my daily post. Still waiting to put some miles on the new car, but that will have to wait. I've tried getting out of bed more often, but I still get some dizziness and shortness of breath. No more pain as best I can surmise.
Neighbor is coming over tomorrow to pick up my maintenance check and take it over to the main office. I did not have enough strength to take it over myself.
I tried to get my cleaning girls over for an hour or so, but they could not arrange a time.
I will try to get out to the garbage chute to dump some trash out of the house. About 50 steps each way - hopefully I can make it.
Otherwise, that's all the news I have for today.
Sounds like you are progressing. A day can make a big difference. Keep checking in.
I heard on th news that VW sales dropped 25% in November. That is truly significant considering all other manufacturer sales are up. VW has some major repairs necessary to its image and public relations. I sure hope they implement some strategies quickly - no company should be losing sales this time of year and expect to survive.
Keep plugging along, Mike. You have a lot of us pulling for you. Take it easy and slow. As soon as you can walk in a way that you feel comfortable about it, walk further. Then further. But I wouldn't rush things.
I did get an email today touting the sign and drive event, and pushing that I would get $1,000 or $1,500 loyalty cash on top of the already pretty good prices.
Car & Driver just voted the Golf (gas version) one of the ten best cars for 2016. (under $80,000). They recommend the GTI, 4 door, S trim w/ manual trans. of course, and Performance Package. MSRP on that one somewhere around $28K.
I heard on th news that VW sales dropped 25% in November. That is truly significant considering all other manufacturer sales are up. VW has some major repairs necessary to its image and public relations. I sure hope they implement some strategies quickly - no company should be losing sales this time of year and expect to survive.
I wonder what is the figure after factoring out the diesels, which are stopped altogether. Probably still some good deal, but not as dramatic.
I heard on th news that VW sales dropped 25% in November. That is truly significant considering all other manufacturer sales are up. VW has some major repairs necessary to its image and public relations. I sure hope they implement some strategies quickly - no company should be losing sales this time of year and expect to survive.
Our VW Passat dealer in St Petes just opened a huge new stand alone showroom on Monday. Talk about bad timing!
I heard on th news that VW sales dropped 25% in November. That is truly significant considering all other manufacturer sales are up. VW has some major repairs necessary to its image and public relations.
I've been waiting and watching to see how much interest the VW scandal is brought up compared to the GM scandal. The company knew about the lies in pollution and mileage claims a year ago. When GM's early knowledge of a problem with the switches was exposed, there were many posts about that topic. With VW, it's been almost crickets here since this was in the news a few days back. LOL
"In early November, two months after more than 11 million Volkswagen vehicles were found to be using software that deliberately underreported nitrous oxide emissions, the German car maker said that it had discovered that another 800,000 of its cars understated their carbon dioxide output and fuel efficiency. Volkswagen maintained that it only found out about the discrepancy in the wake of the wider diesel emissions scandal, but German newspaper Bild am Sonntag this weekend countered that assertion, reporting that Volkswagen executives knew about the false claims a full year ago."
I heard on th news that VW sales dropped 25% in November. That is truly significant considering all other manufacturer sales are up. VW has some major repairs necessary to its image and public relations. I sure hope they implement some strategies quickly - no company should be losing sales this time of year and expect to survive.
Our VW Passat dealer in St Petes just opened a huge new stand alone showroom on Monday. Talk about bad timing!
I read this morning that Honda sales also dipped a bit - 1-2%.
VW has been providing "floor plan" monetary incentives to assist dealers with the financial burden they have been faced with since this diesel debacle. Additionally, VW has provided additional money to assist with dealer operations.
The major fall-out will be felt by small dealers which cannot survive 25% drops in sales. I wonder if dealerships who are forced out of business will have legal claims against the manufacturer for causing their investments to dematerialize? Going to be an interesting chain of events over the next several years if VW can survive without being nationalized by the German Government. I've heard rumors of that scenario as a last resort option.
I heard on th news that VW sales dropped 25% in November. That is truly significant considering all other manufacturer sales are up. VW has some major repairs necessary to its image and public relations.
I've been waiting and watching to see how much interest the VW scandal is brought up compared to the GM scandal. The company knew about the lies in pollution and mileage claims a year ago. When GM's early knowledge of a problem with the switches was exposed, there were many posts about that topic. With VW, it's been almost crickets here since this was in the news a few days back. LOL
"In early November, two months after more than 11 million Volkswagen vehicles were found to be using software that deliberately underreported nitrous oxide emissions, the German car maker said that it had discovered that another 800,000 of its cars understated their carbon dioxide output and fuel efficiency. Volkswagen maintained that it only found out about the discrepancy in the wake of the wider diesel emissions scandal, but German newspaper Bild am Sonntag this weekend countered that assertion, reporting that Volkswagen executives knew about the false claims a full year ago."
http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/30/9817120/volkswagen-scandal-carbon-fuel-claims-executives-aware
I understand your consternation regarding GM vs. VW. GM took it between the eyes when the faulty ignition switch came to light. But I believe you will find an equal attitude regarding VW if you look back on the posts these past 3 months.
I have to agree with you that GM was singled out more vociferously for its sins. But that might be due to better PR coming out of VW than came out of GM.
There has been so much reporting on the VW scandal, both in the news and on these forums! There have been people actively predicting VW's demise. I have to think you've got an axe to grind on this issue. Both scandals have been covered extensively, as they should be. VW is not a safety issue (yet) but a deliberate and cynical lack of regard for regulations, customers, and the environment.
I agree. The VW reporting is exhaustive and frequent, with calls for a punishment and predictions of long lasting legal troubles. The US government fines alone are potentially up to $18B, or actually more now, as even more engines have been reported. We will see of course how much it will really be when it comes - knowing green agenda of this administration, I think it's going to be substantial. Also, European authorities are now taking VW into the task, including overinflated gas mileage numbers on some of their models. I do think their action will be weaker, as they have too much at stake in terms of job losses and I'm quite convinced VW was not the only one cheating on their tests, as it is clear that EU regulations were both unrealistic and full of loopholes. In fact, I think VW is waiting for news from others and they will probably get some, or they'll strike a secret deal with EU to not disclose others in exchange for more lenient treatment there.
I only wonder what else is there to say or do against VW that would satisfy the expressed sense of unbalanced injustice and reporting against GM. Full government-manadated shutdown? Public executions of the executives? Rallies in front of VW stores with violence against salesmen and property damage? Would that be enough to balance the alleged GM's harm?
I would add to the VW vs. GM discussion. VW's transgressions are major, but the cover up was to beat the regulations. GM's cover-up resulted directly in the deaths of innocent people - and lawyers were involved to put up a stone wall to deflect law suits for victims.
Neither VW or GM should be proud of what they did, but the transgressions aren't at the same level. Takata air bags are a lot closer to the GM situation, as lives were lost directly as a result of the cover-up.
VW's losses may not hurt them that much as Audi sales keep growing. Maybe they will sell fewer VWs but make up for it with more Audi's.
Audi sales YTD through November up 11.7% to 181,803 vehicles Sales for the month rose 0.4% to 16,700 vehicles Demand for core Audi models remained strong for the month
Audi reported that its November 2015 sales increased 0.4% to 16,700 vehicles, a total that stands as the brand’s 59th straight month of record U.S. sales.
Audi achieved its best-ever November sales in the U.S. in establishing its 59th consecutive monthly sales record. The previous November record was set in 2014 with 16,640 Audi vehicles sold. Through the first 11 months of 2015, Audi U.S. sales rose 11.7% from last year to 181,803 vehicles, which is only 208 units short of what Audi sold in an entire year in 2014.
“As we head into the final sales month, we are on track to achieve our sixth-consecutive record year and exceed 200,000 annual sales for the first time,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “We expect this strong momentum will continue into 2016 as we refresh some of our most popular models, such as the Audi Q7, A4 and R8.”
November results were bolstered by sales of core Audi models, such as the A3, A5 and A7. These three model lines posted increases of 20.6%, 20.2% and 8.2%, respectively. The Audi SUV models also performed well. The Q3 model achieved a 50.9% increase over year-earlier sales, and the Q5 model line posted an increase of 8.0% over last November.
How much do most people even care if a company cheats?
"How much do most people even care if a company cheats?"
I care! If I found that Mercedes-Benz "cheated" or "withheld negative info" to shield itself from law suits concerning a safety or environmental issue, I would never buy another Mercedes vehicle!
There may be just enough cynicism for VW to make it through. People may assume nobody is clean, VW just got caught. There may be some merit in this. Adding examples of bad experiences coming from essentially all brands, a Joe Sixpack may simply take that out of the consideration altogether.
Regarding VW transgression, I would disagree with Driver. GM's hand in deaths and coverups are dramatic and easy to demonstrate. However, a contribution from harmful emissions (40 times, people) to deaths and sickness of multiple individuals may actually be larger in aggregate, just much more difficult to show on a Jerry Bruckheimer-like computer simulation in a courtroom. This is especially true, if add all effects from millions of vehicles sold in Europe, not just US. If I had to find a parallel, I would go with tobacco and their efforts to increase addictive effects to increase sales.
I would add to the VW vs. GM discussion. VW's transgressions are major, but the cover up was to beat the regulations. GM's cover-up resulted directly in the deaths of innocent people - and lawyers were involved to put up a stone wall to deflect law suits for victims.
Neither VW or GM should be proud of what they did, but the transgressions aren't at the same level. Takata air bags are a lot closer to the GM situation, as lives were lost directly as a result of the cover-up.
The deaths in the GM cases were in most instances people who were drunk, drugged up, driving recklessly or a combination of all 3, running into something at high speed. We will never know if they would have died or not if the ignition was still on, but GM took the blame. I have seen no evidence that it was a corporate decision but rather that of an engineer or he and those he worked closely with. We do know that VW deliberately did what they did to bypass the regulations and defraud both their customers and the government.
I would agree that Takata is closer to the GM situation. Of the 3 transgressions, we hear the least about that. Where is the equivalent outrage?
Well, here's my daily post. Still waiting to put some miles on the new car, but that will have to wait. I've tried getting out of bed more often, but I still get some dizziness and shortness of breath. No more pain as best I can surmise.
Neighbor is coming over tomorrow to pick up my maintenance check and take it over to the main office. I did not have enough strength to take it over myself.
I tried to get my cleaning girls over for an hour or so, but they could not arrange a time.
I will try to get out to the garbage chute to dump some trash out of the house. About 50 steps each way - hopefully I can make it.
Otherwise, that's all the news I have for today.
When I first got home after my surgery it took me a few days to be able to do much. I started with walking from the living room to the bathroom or kitchen. Then I started to walk laps around the main level of the house. It takes time. You've been through a lot.
A business associate told me that he had a double or triple bypass done in secret! He left work on what he told them was a 3 week vacation, had the scheduled surgery the next day, and went back to work after the 3 weeks was up. I found it impossible to believe but some people are crazy I guess.
"How much do most people even care if a company cheats?"
I care! If I found that Mercedes-Benz "cheated" or "withheld negative info" to shield itself from law suits concerning a safety or environmental issue, I would never buy another Mercedes vehicle!
I would never say "never". You have no idea if other cars would be as good, or even if they are any more honest.
It isn't likely I would buy another Audi product, but, if they made the best vehicle by far in the category I was looking for, if the price was right, if I was sure this model passed the tests, if the car felt better than the competition.......I would probably risk it. There just isn't enough choices to never buy a particular brand ever again.
But, Mike, if MB did something dishonest, what brand would you consider, and I suppose that same rule would apply to GM.
Factor in short attention span, and the next piece of "breaking news" moves the VW thing off of the stove
This is so true. People have the attention span of a gnat. A lot of people who aren't even interested in cars will talk about the VW scandal from a business point of view, environment, etc.
But, two years from now will they even put it together? People don't equate GM to faulty ignitions, Ford to Pintos that caught on fire, Audi to a faulty brake pedal, BP to an oil spill, Exxon to the same, or tainted foods such as cheese, ice cream, hamburgers etc.
Does anyone not buy a car because it has Takata airbag?
But, Mike, if MB did something dishonest, what brand would you consider, and I suppose that same rule would apply to GM.
I would consider BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, etc. When a corporate entity intentionally deceives its consumers and/or the public regarding defects or fraud, I'm done with that company forever!
Regarding VW transgression, I would disagree with Driver. GM's hand in deaths and coverups are dramatic and easy to demonstrate. However, a contribution from harmful emissions (40 times, people) to deaths and sickness of multiple individuals may actually be larger in aggregate, just much more difficult to show on a Jerry Bruckheimer-like computer simulation in a courtroom. This is especially true, if add all effects from millions of vehicles sold in Europe, not just US. If I had to find a parallel, I would go with tobacco and their efforts to increase addictive effects to increase sales.
I'm not so sure dino. I am thinking, even those emissions were higher than permitted, they are still probably a lot less than the emissions from most trucks.
There are some statistics that say so many 1000s will die from VWs emissions.......I just don't know if it can be proven, or is even true.
Well, here's my daily post. Still waiting to put some miles on the new car, but that will have to wait. I've tried getting out of bed more often, but I still get some dizziness and shortness of breath. No more pain as best I can surmise.
Neighbor is coming over tomorrow to pick up my maintenance check and take it over to the main office. I did not have enough strength to take it over myself.
I tried to get my cleaning girls over for an hour or so, but they could not arrange a time.
I will try to get out to the garbage chute to dump some trash out of the house. About 50 steps each way - hopefully I can make it.
Otherwise, that's all the news I have for today.
Thanks for the update! Hang on and keep improving!
I don't think most people are predicting VWs "demise" at all---but some are predicting the demise of their diesel operations in the USA---that is certainly possible, and given the sales volume of VW diesels, no small potatoes.
Living in the age of "the daily CRISIS" is starting to wear on me
IMHO, the Daily Crisis has been invented by 24 hour news channels. If there is a disaster, CNN reports on it 24/7. I mean, I feel bad for the people caught up in those air disasters, and for the poor innocent people that were killed in Paris. But, how do you have reports every day for weeks about the same thing over and over....until the next disaster.
CNN's ratings go up when they have one disaster they can focus on, but do people really need that much negative news all day long?
Car & Driver just voted the Golf (gas version) one of the ten best cars for 2016. (under $80,000). They recommend the GTI, 4 door, S trim w/ manual trans. of course, and Performance Package. MSRP on that one somewhere around $28K.
I wonder how much of a deal you could pull off on one? If the diesel fiasco is going to hit them across their line, maybe it's time to say I don't need as much room as I thought and dump the 5 in favor of a GTI. This is a long shot really.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
A good rule is not to listen to any news that doesn't directly affect your life. I don't mean interesting subjects for study, but "events" which can't possibly bear on your existence, even remotely. If anything, listening to day by day disasters de-sensitizes you to human suffering IMO.
But, Mike, if MB did something dishonest, what brand would you consider, and I suppose that same rule would apply to GM.
I would consider BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, etc. When a corporate entity intentionally deceives its consumers and/or the public regarding defects or fraud, I'm done with that company forever!
In theory, I would say the same......but, time does make a difference.
I almost bought an exploding Pinto at the time, but I opted for a 1973 Maverick (almost ashamed to admit that) at the time (at least it had a 302 V8). But, that was my last Ford, for some reason. However, in the last few years that exploding gas tank is really on the small back burner, if I was looking for a car in certain categories I would buy a Ford and that wouldn't be a consideration. I'd consider a Mustang, Fusion, Escape, Lincoln, Flex, F-150 to name a few....I think Ford would be very careful not to let that happen again.
A good rule is not to listen to any news that doesn't directly affect your life. I don't mean interesting subjects for study, but "events" which can't possibly bear on your existence, even remotely. If anything, listening to day by day disasters de-sensitizes you to human suffering IMO.
Right on, but, I have to know what is going on. I don't want in depth stuff about people looking into the gunman's eyes, or know what people were eating at the time, but, I want to learn as much as I can about why and where these events are happening.
It might affect where I go, it affects my opinions of what is going on in the world. I don't want to dwell on it....some people need something to agonize about....I don't need that, I just want facts so I can try to understand this crazy world a little better.
Regarding VW transgression, I would disagree with Driver. GM's hand in deaths and coverups are dramatic and easy to demonstrate. However, a contribution from harmful emissions (40 times, people) to deaths and sickness of multiple individuals may actually be larger in aggregate, just much more difficult to show on a Jerry Bruckheimer-like computer simulation in a courtroom. This is especially true, if add all effects from millions of vehicles sold in Europe, not just US. If I had to find a parallel, I would go with tobacco and their efforts to increase addictive effects to increase sales.
I'm not so sure dino. I am thinking, even those emissions were higher than permitted, they are still probably a lot less than the emissions from most trucks.
There are some statistics that say so many 1000s will die from VWs emissions.......I just don't know if it can be proven, or is even true.
This are probably exagerations, as most those kinds of statistics. People make ridiculous assumptions and then carry them through their analysis. My favorite ones are economic impact "analyses" of sporting events saying it's going to be gazillions of dollars coming to the town, because as we all know, if not that event, there would be no single conference, no single tourist coming, nobody would go out to eat, or shop in the local store.
My favorite adage is "All statistics are false - including this one"
I almost bought an exploding Pinto at the time, but I opted for a 1973 Maverick (almost ashamed to admit that) at the time (at least it had a 302 V8). But, that was my last Ford, for some reason. However, in the last few years that exploding gas tank is really on the small back burner, if I was looking for a car in certain categories I would buy a Ford and that wouldn't be a consideration. I'd consider a Mustang, Fusion, Escape, Lincoln, Flex, F-150 to name a few....I think Ford would be very careful not to let that happen again.
Heh. Our last Ford was a '74 Maverick. Awful car. Maybe the Maverick killed a lot of future sales for Ford?
For me I have never been a huge Ford fan. There has always been something about them in terms of design or engineering that has failed to resonate with me. I don't hate them, I just don't find them appealing.
I don't think 24 hour news has caused the crisis mentality, but it sure fans those flames when everything is BREAKING.
Heck, even the weather has to be "your SEVERE forecast"
Life is terminal, get over it already
I really laugh when there is a cold front moving in. Today it was 82 in the Tampa area, a cold front is moving in and it is only going to reach 76 tomorrow. The horror of it all!
Talk about severe forecasters...the weather guys are no longer called weatherman or woman, they are Storm Chasers, or Weather Trackers or Storm Troopers or something.
And why do they begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
Michaell....looks like I have meetings until 5 but dinner reservations with colleagues at 6:30 today and tomorrow, leaving Friday. I'm downtown at the Hyatt. Doubt it would be worth it for either of us to try to meet for what might only be an hour. Will be back soon. Next time I'll get give more notice and perhaps we can meet for dinner or lunch.
I know when I had my "heart event" I was in Chicago for Memorial Day weekend with my son. Drove to Chicago early on Friday. Walkes probably 5-6 miles in and around Michigan Ave. Went back to the hotel after a late dinner and started feeling a bit uneasy. Thought it was because I ate so late. Then, I started sweating. I hit the bed, my left arm and jaw started to ache and was pretty sure it was a heart attach.
Was bound and determined not to make a scene and freak my son out. Northwestern U Med Center was right across the street from our hotel. As calmly as I could, while trying not to show the pain I was in, I caught the hotel elevator, and walked (more like used a force of will to hobble across the street) to the lobby of Northwestern.
I must have looked pretty bad, because people got out of my way like the parting of the Red Sea. My son freaked anyway and ran to the receptionist and loudly told her it was an emergency and I needed a Dr. She informed him that the emergency room was around the block. He said, "it's not for me....it's for him", pointing at me. She looked at me sitting slumped in a chair and immediately called some sort of code over the intercom. Seconds later, here comes the stretcher, the nitro, the oxygen, and I was whooshed away.
Had two stents put in. The next day (Saturday), I sent my son home to Cincinnati, over his vehement protests. I didn't want to stay, but knew I had to.
Cardio Doc said once I was able to do 5 laps around the entire ICU floor. So, with IV and IV stand in tow, off I went. Starting at the Dr/Nurses' station so the could see me. Couldn't do it Saturday (but did two laps). Made a goal to double that on Sunday, and I succeeded. The 5 laps on Monday seemed a piece of cake after that and did 8 laps. Doc reneged on me for the release papers. Tuesday I did 10 laps, with the Doc watching and the nurses counting them down for me. I was gone by Tuesday afternoon. Was at work Wednesday, but only for a ½ day. But was back to full time the next week.
My rehab nurses and PT specialists pushed and prodded me and had me working out and feeling much better in short order.
Medical professionals don't get nearly enough credit for patching us up and putting us back on the right track. Eternally thankful for mine.
Michaell....looks like I have meetings until 5 but dinner reservations with colleagues at 6:30 today and tomorrow, leaving Friday. I'm downtown at the Hyatt. Doubt it would be worth it for either of us to try to meet for what might only be an hour. Will be back soon. Next time I'll get kore notice and perhaps we can meet for dinner or lunch.
No worries ... enjoy your (brief) stay in Denver.
The Hyatt is a nice place. Wife and daughter have stayed there a couple of times when they had events at the convention center.
I was trying to recollect at any time in my life if I remembered a time period within the borders of the United States when there was so much mass killing of innocent people. To be honest, in the last 5 or 6 years, it's been scary out there. Today's mass shooting of at least 28 people (14 dead) in San Bernadino (I used to live 30 miles east of there in the low desert) has me a bit distressed.
It seems every week, something like this happens somewhere on a college campus or school or army/navy post. When I walked the shopping mall, I would, at times, become a bit skiddish when I would pass by a group of older teenagers being a bit overly vocal.
I realize that chances are slim to none of my being involved in a mass shooting, but I avoid shopping malls and large public areas this time of year.
One cannot just "ignore" the news! But this sort of thing never happened with such frequency when I was younger.
Still a bit weak, but stamina is improving very slowly. Going to stay indoors today and will take each day one at a time.
You are progressing more slowly than GG or my friend who had an unexpected stent procedure. I wonder if the other meds you are on are affecting you? Are you still taking the Hep C?
You already know, but when I had a major surgery I learned not to overdo the exercise any one day. I'd pay for it the next day or two before continuing to progress.
Comments
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Neighbor is coming over tomorrow to pick up my maintenance check and take it over to the main office. I did not have enough strength to take it over myself.
I tried to get my cleaning girls over for an hour or so, but they could not arrange a time.
I will try to get out to the garbage chute to dump some trash out of the house. About 50 steps each way - hopefully I can make it.
Otherwise, that's all the news I have for today.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Keep checking in.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I did get an email today touting the sign and drive event, and pushing that I would get $1,000 or $1,500 loyalty cash on top of the already pretty good prices.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"In early November, two months after more than 11 million Volkswagen vehicles were found to be using software that deliberately underreported nitrous oxide emissions, the German car maker said that it had discovered that another 800,000 of its cars understated their carbon dioxide output and fuel efficiency. Volkswagen maintained that it only found out about the discrepancy in the wake of the wider diesel emissions scandal, but German newspaper Bild am Sonntag this weekend countered that assertion, reporting that Volkswagen executives knew about the false claims a full year ago."
http://www.theverge.com/2015/11/30/9817120/volkswagen-scandal-carbon-fuel-claims-executives-aware
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
VW has been providing "floor plan" monetary incentives to assist dealers with the financial burden they have been faced with since this diesel debacle. Additionally, VW has provided additional money to assist with dealer operations.
The major fall-out will be felt by small dealers which cannot survive 25% drops in sales. I wonder if dealerships who are forced out of business will have legal claims against the manufacturer for causing their investments to dematerialize? Going to be an interesting chain of events over the next several years if VW can survive without being nationalized by the German Government. I've heard rumors of that scenario as a last resort option.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I have to agree with you that GM was singled out more vociferously for its sins. But that might be due to better PR coming out of VW than came out of GM.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
I only wonder what else is there to say or do against VW that would satisfy the expressed sense of unbalanced injustice and reporting against GM. Full government-manadated shutdown? Public executions of the executives? Rallies in front of VW stores with violence against salesmen and property damage? Would that be enough to balance the alleged GM's harm?
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Neither VW or GM should be proud of what they did, but the transgressions aren't at the same level. Takata air bags are a lot closer to the GM situation, as lives were lost directly as a result of the cover-up.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Audi sales YTD through November up 11.7% to 181,803 vehicles
Sales for the month rose 0.4% to 16,700 vehicles
Demand for core Audi models remained strong for the month
Audi reported that its November 2015 sales increased 0.4% to 16,700 vehicles, a total that stands as the brand’s 59th straight month of record U.S. sales.
Audi achieved its best-ever November sales in the U.S. in establishing its 59th consecutive monthly sales record. The previous November record was set in 2014 with 16,640 Audi vehicles sold. Through the first 11 months of 2015, Audi U.S. sales rose 11.7% from last year to 181,803 vehicles, which is only 208 units short of what Audi sold in an entire year in 2014.
“As we head into the final sales month, we are on track to achieve our sixth-consecutive record year and exceed 200,000 annual sales for the first time,” said Mark Del Rosso, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. “We expect this strong momentum will continue into 2016 as we refresh some of our most popular models, such as the Audi Q7, A4 and R8.”
November results were bolstered by sales of core Audi models, such as the A3, A5 and A7. These three model lines posted increases of 20.6%, 20.2% and 8.2%, respectively. The Audi SUV models also performed well. The Q3 model achieved a 50.9% increase over year-earlier sales, and the Q5 model line posted an increase of 8.0% over last November.
How much do most people even care if a company cheats?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
"How much do most people even care if a company cheats?"
I care! If I found that Mercedes-Benz "cheated" or "withheld negative info" to shield itself from law suits concerning a safety or environmental issue, I would never buy another Mercedes vehicle!
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Regarding VW transgression, I would disagree with Driver. GM's hand in deaths and coverups are dramatic and easy to demonstrate. However, a contribution from harmful emissions (40 times, people) to deaths and sickness of multiple individuals may actually be larger in aggregate, just much more difficult to show on a Jerry Bruckheimer-like computer simulation in a courtroom. This is especially true, if add all effects from millions of vehicles sold in Europe, not just US. If I had to find a parallel, I would go with tobacco and their efforts to increase addictive effects to increase sales.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
The deaths in the GM cases were in most instances people who were drunk, drugged up, driving recklessly or a combination of all 3, running into something at high speed. We will never know if they would have died or not if the ignition was still on, but GM took the blame. I have seen no evidence that it was a corporate decision but rather that of an engineer or he and those he worked closely with. We do know that VW deliberately did what they did to bypass the regulations and defraud both their customers and the government.
I would agree that Takata is closer to the GM situation. Of the 3 transgressions, we hear the least about that. Where is the equivalent outrage?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
A business associate told me that he had a double or triple bypass done in secret! He left work on what he told them was a 3 week vacation, had the scheduled surgery the next day, and went back to work after the 3 weeks was up. I found it impossible to believe but some people are crazy I guess.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
It isn't likely I would buy another Audi product, but, if they made the best vehicle by far in the category I was looking for, if the price was right, if I was sure this model passed the tests, if the car felt better than the competition.......I would probably risk it. There just isn't enough choices to never buy a particular brand ever again.
But, Mike, if MB did something dishonest, what brand would you consider, and I suppose that same rule would apply to GM.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But, two years from now will they even put it together? People don't equate GM to faulty ignitions, Ford to Pintos that caught on fire, Audi to a faulty brake pedal, BP to an oil spill, Exxon to the same, or tainted foods such as cheese, ice cream, hamburgers etc.
Does anyone not buy a car because it has Takata airbag?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But, Mike, if MB did something dishonest, what brand would you consider, and I suppose that same rule would apply to GM.
I would consider BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, etc. When a corporate entity intentionally deceives its consumers and/or the public regarding defects or fraud, I'm done with that company forever!
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There are some statistics that say so many 1000s will die from VWs emissions.......I just don't know if it can be proven, or is even true.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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CNN's ratings go up when they have one disaster they can focus on, but do people really need that much negative news all day long?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I almost bought an exploding Pinto at the time, but I opted for a 1973 Maverick (almost ashamed to admit that) at the time (at least it had a 302 V8).
But, that was my last Ford, for some reason. However, in the last few years that exploding gas tank is really on the small back burner, if I was looking for a car in certain categories I would buy a Ford and that wouldn't be a consideration. I'd consider a Mustang, Fusion, Escape, Lincoln, Flex, F-150 to name a few....I think Ford would be very careful not to let that happen again.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Heck, even the weather has to be "your SEVERE forecast"
Life is terminal, get over it already
It might affect where I go, it affects my opinions of what is going on in the world. I don't want to dwell on it....some people need something to agonize about....I don't need that, I just want facts so I can try to understand this crazy world a little better.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My favorite adage is "All statistics are false - including this one"
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Heh. Our last Ford was a '74 Maverick. Awful car. Maybe the Maverick killed a lot of future sales for Ford?
For me I have never been a huge Ford fan. There has always been something about them in terms of design or engineering that has failed to resonate with me. I don't hate them, I just don't find them appealing.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Talk about severe forecasters...the weather guys are no longer called weatherman or woman, they are Storm Chasers, or Weather Trackers or Storm Troopers or something.
And why do they begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I know when I had my "heart event" I was in Chicago for Memorial Day weekend with my son. Drove to Chicago early on Friday. Walkes probably 5-6 miles in and around Michigan Ave. Went back to the hotel after a late dinner and started feeling a bit uneasy. Thought it was because I ate so late. Then, I started sweating. I hit the bed, my left arm and jaw started to ache and was pretty sure it was a heart attach.
Was bound and determined not to make a scene and freak my son out. Northwestern U Med Center was right across the street from our hotel. As calmly as I could, while trying not to show the pain I was in, I caught the hotel elevator, and walked (more like used a force of will to hobble across the street) to the lobby of Northwestern.
I must have looked pretty bad, because people got out of my way like the parting of the Red Sea. My son freaked anyway and ran to the receptionist and loudly told her it was an emergency and I needed a Dr. She informed him that the emergency room was around the block. He said, "it's not for me....it's for him", pointing at me. She looked at me sitting slumped in a chair and immediately called some sort of code over the intercom. Seconds later, here comes the stretcher, the nitro, the oxygen, and I was whooshed away.
Had two stents put in. The next day (Saturday), I sent my son home to Cincinnati, over his vehement protests. I didn't want to stay, but knew I had to.
Cardio Doc said once I was able to do 5 laps around the entire ICU floor. So, with IV and IV stand in tow, off I went. Starting at the Dr/Nurses' station so the could see me. Couldn't do it Saturday (but did two laps). Made a goal to double that on Sunday, and I succeeded. The 5 laps on Monday seemed a piece of cake after that and did 8 laps. Doc reneged on me for the release papers. Tuesday I did 10 laps, with the Doc watching and the nurses counting them down for me. I was gone by Tuesday afternoon. Was at work Wednesday, but only for a ½ day. But was back to full time the next week.
My rehab nurses and PT specialists pushed and prodded me and had me working out and feeling much better in short order.
Medical professionals don't get nearly enough credit for patching us up and putting us back on the right track. Eternally thankful for mine.
The Hyatt is a nice place. Wife and daughter have stayed there a couple of times when they had events at the convention center.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
It seems every week, something like this happens somewhere on a college campus or school or army/navy post. When I walked the shopping mall, I would, at times, become a bit skiddish when I would pass by a group of older teenagers being a bit overly vocal.
I realize that chances are slim to none of my being involved in a mass shooting, but I avoid shopping malls and large public areas this time of year.
One cannot just "ignore" the news! But this sort of thing never happened with such frequency when I was younger.
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Life is often very precarious!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
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You already know, but when I had a major surgery I learned not to overdo the exercise any one day. I'd pay for it the next day or two before continuing to progress.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,