A Rant on General Motors

Pontiac Solstice


Topic: Cars
I went by the Pontiac Dealership to inquire when the new Pontiac Solstice will be coming. One dealership told me that they wouldn't receive any until August and another told me not until November. The shipment dates says it all about GM. They're going to start selling a two-seater convertable at the end of summer or end of fall. Are you kidding me? I'd like to think that they're doing it becuase of quality control issues. But the reality is that they're probably doing it for the typical reason- they're really, really, stupid! I mean it!

The top managment at GM has not shown any intelligence since I've been born. They discontinued the Chevy Camaro/Pontiac Trans Am without any replacement, at the same time Ford revives the Mustang line and makes a nice profit. They've made the bulk of their fortune in this and the last decade from large SUVs but yet haven't done any modifications (i.e. performance, gas mileage, innovations, etc) to thwart the Japanese. And where are their minivans? There's a waiting list for the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna but GM hasn't done anything to their Astro vans.

Since I've already mentioned waiting list, what about the waiting list for the Prius and Civic hybrid? People are waiting up to 3 months for one, unless they're willing to pay for a used one pirced the same as a new car. Does GM actually have a R&D department? Even Ford is coming out with a hybrid SUV.

Why doesn't GM (as a whole) just use the same formula that Cadillac and the Japanese are using and just emulate the top cars from Europe. Take a look at the CTS/STS and the TL/Accord, any Lexus, and tell me that they don't look like BMWs and Mercedes. Whats wrong with being a copy cat anyway? If you haven't noticed, all those models are doing well. Let the GM bosses use their very limited imagination on one or two models and just copy anything else from the Black Forest. If you're not going to replace all or most of the imbeciles with the big offices, at least work on a strategy of some sort.

Hey fellas, have you heard about Woolworths, AT&T, or RCA by any chance. Don't think you can't join them just because you have a famous name. Just go down the street in Detroit and ask the people that work for that Mercedes owned company- Chrysler if you can't disappear.

At the very least, just please make that Solstice a half-way decent car so I don't have to buy a Miata.

Custom Car

WhattheHaye


Topic: Cars

If you've ever seen the show American Hot Rod, your probably familiar with Boyd Coddington. I personally think that guys a big jerk! He's a great builder but one lousy manager.

Anyway, his shop created the car show above and I sure would like to have something like that. It's called the WhattaHaye and it's basically a Viper chassis and engine with a custom made body.

Death of a Pontiff

Topic: Religion

I woke up in the middle of the night and witnesseed something the world has never seen. The religious and political leaders of this world together for the funeral of His Holiness John Paul II. What other man could of brought those masses of the mighty and the average? His Holiness and Mother Theresa has shown what one person armed with belief can do to change this world. The 20th century will be remembered by some as the age of revolution and social/cultural change in the personification of Hitler, Stalin, Einstein, etc. I see it as the age of Gandhi, Marting King, Desmont Tutu, the Dali Lama, and of course JOhn Paul II. I've never been a big believer of the eucemenical movement, since it dilutes the idea of absolute truth, but witnessing the funeral has given me a greater appreciation of what it could do.

Custom Computer Case

U2-UFO computer case


Topic: Technology

I've been in a "mod" mode lately and was surfing around to see what other people have done. I stumbled upon a incredible case called U2-UFO from Mountain Mods. They cost a pretty penny ($350 to be exact) but considering they're made in the US and look like no other case, I think it's a reasonable price. Just add up all the cost of parts and labor and it seems like a pretty good deal. Beside, you'll be the only kid on your block with one of these.