Ever wonder what they will think of next? We are all about ready to go out and put our names on one of those lists to get a Hybrid Car due to the these fuel prices at the pump and then someone comes along and yells; “Wait, have you heard of Thermoacoustic Propulsion?” No, as a matter of fact most of us haven’t thank you very much as we hang up the gas pump and look at that total and cringe as we get our automated receipt from the Kiosk pump at the station. My gosh that hurts. That much just to put gas in my vehicle; “I hate OPEC,” you say and think to yourself the unthinkable; “Let’s just Nuke the Middle East and Take the G-Damn Oil!”
Well it may in fact be a ways off and never get to market, but there is a new engine being tested now, which could power cars, and it has no moving parts. It runs by “thermoacoustics” it works by applying external heat to a cylinder or tank with Helium gas inside, as the gas heats up it from the acoustic waves it makes enough heat to make steam and then it is used to generate electricity.
The resulting pressure fluctuations works off vibrations at about 80 Hz. This sound is converted into electricity, thru steam. A microphone like devise, electo-acoustic transducer produces the sound waves. A 700 watt prototype works great, and can be used to power cars without batteries, therefore no need to discard old batteries which cannot be charged, therefore electric cars without residual pollution later. We may never see it due to strong lobby efforts in the Oil and Auto Industry but I think it’s a pretty cool idea.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Transport Services
Car manufacturers and dealers have been doing it for years and now car transport services are making it simpler for the average consumer. Transporting cars, whether from the manufacturer to the dealer or from one city to another saves on the physical wear and tear of the vehicle's exterior as well as the mechanical stress on the engine.
In order to select a transport service, the first question you'll want answered is how much will it cost? As with any type of shopping you should comparison shop prices and services from various car transport companies.
You'll need to know the origin point and destination for the car and the approximate date you want the vehicle to depart. The car transport service will also need the make, model and year of the car in question.
The client needs to know what type of transport they are looking for whether it's door-to-door or point-to-point (i.e. a central location in one city to another.) Some transport services also offer covered transport, which will protect the car from weather elements, rocks and dust. This can be very beneficial in the transport of vintage or classic cars
Once a company is selected, payment arrangements will need to be made. Most companies want a deposit of 15 to 20% prior to the car's departure and full payment made when it arrives at the destination. These payments are usually required to be in the form of cash or a cashier's check.
It's usually a good plan to check the fine print on the contract once it's been agreed to. If you cancel it, the transport company may charge a fee. It's also a good idea to put a clause somewhere in there that allows for you to cancel if they have not picked up your car within some number of days of the scheduled date.
Review the contract closely because most transport services will not guarantee a pickup date or delivery date, but rather refer to the window of time in which they are scheduled.
Insurance is also an issue. Sometimes your own insurance carrier will not cover damages sustained to the vehicle while being transported on another. Verify what insurance coverage the transport service offers and if you purchase it, make sure it is listed in the contract. As with any company, you should verify the references of prior service.
Finally, once you've settled on a car transport service and signed the contracts, be sure that you receive an "Original Inspection Report." The transport service will inspect the vehicle prior to accepting it for transportation. It will note nicks, dings, scratches, dents and defects inside and out.
If there are scratches on the windows, these will all be noted on the "Original Inspection Report." Make sure you hang onto this, because when your car is delivered, you should take the time to go over it slowly. Verify that there are no problems other than what is listed on the report.
In most cases, the process of transportation is damage- free, but if your car has notable damage not listed on the report, then get the driver's signature in concurrence with the damage and notify the transport service. With the dual verifications, the company should work out a way to reimburse you for any repairs that are necessary.
In order to select a transport service, the first question you'll want answered is how much will it cost? As with any type of shopping you should comparison shop prices and services from various car transport companies.
You'll need to know the origin point and destination for the car and the approximate date you want the vehicle to depart. The car transport service will also need the make, model and year of the car in question.
The client needs to know what type of transport they are looking for whether it's door-to-door or point-to-point (i.e. a central location in one city to another.) Some transport services also offer covered transport, which will protect the car from weather elements, rocks and dust. This can be very beneficial in the transport of vintage or classic cars
Once a company is selected, payment arrangements will need to be made. Most companies want a deposit of 15 to 20% prior to the car's departure and full payment made when it arrives at the destination. These payments are usually required to be in the form of cash or a cashier's check.
It's usually a good plan to check the fine print on the contract once it's been agreed to. If you cancel it, the transport company may charge a fee. It's also a good idea to put a clause somewhere in there that allows for you to cancel if they have not picked up your car within some number of days of the scheduled date.
Review the contract closely because most transport services will not guarantee a pickup date or delivery date, but rather refer to the window of time in which they are scheduled.
Insurance is also an issue. Sometimes your own insurance carrier will not cover damages sustained to the vehicle while being transported on another. Verify what insurance coverage the transport service offers and if you purchase it, make sure it is listed in the contract. As with any company, you should verify the references of prior service.
Finally, once you've settled on a car transport service and signed the contracts, be sure that you receive an "Original Inspection Report." The transport service will inspect the vehicle prior to accepting it for transportation. It will note nicks, dings, scratches, dents and defects inside and out.
If there are scratches on the windows, these will all be noted on the "Original Inspection Report." Make sure you hang onto this, because when your car is delivered, you should take the time to go over it slowly. Verify that there are no problems other than what is listed on the report.
In most cases, the process of transportation is damage- free, but if your car has notable damage not listed on the report, then get the driver's signature in concurrence with the damage and notify the transport service. With the dual verifications, the company should work out a way to reimburse you for any repairs that are necessary.
Conveyor Systems
Robotic conveyor systems are used in modern automated factories, warehouses and cleaning processes. In fact robotics and car washing are nearly synonymous really. There are many cross over scientific technologies used in car washing indeed. Lots of stuff is involved in car washing that relates to a wide variety of sciences and all things in life for that matter. For instance; Physics, Water, efficiency, chemicals, environmental, pollution, energy, ionic bonding, lighting, crime prevention, labor management, signage, advertising, location, flows, cycles, temperatures, robotics, sonar, electronic eyes, video surveillance, impulse purchasing, manufacturing processes, quality control, building, contracting, computer kiosks, time, customer service, automotive. You name it, car washing has some of it, it is a lot to think of and everything relates to everything else in car washing.
Being involved in the car wash industry for 27 years taught me a lot about robotics. Automated car wash systems have been around now over 70 years, think about it, this was the very beginning of robotics, especially conveyor type robotics. Even in my other life endeavors such as becoming a pilot, athlete, motorcycle racer, franchisor and even politics seem to be aided by the many modern principles of car washing. There are few things missing from the car wash model. In car washing you deal with car owners from all professions, nationalities and walks of life, as everyone owns a car. Everyone you see? Everyone is your customer or future customer. It's all one really. Everything kind of bleeds into everything else, no real definitive barriers like dimensions, airflows, songs & tunes, weather, cycles and the like. One is ending as another begins. Life kind of is like that too.
What I am getting at here is life really is like a conveyor type car wash if you think about it, isn’t it? You see artificial intelligence, trans-humanism, life-extension, robotics and car washing have lots in common. Just think much of the methodology of processes in manufacturing robotics today and assembly line type services originated at the car wash. As we develop Artificial Intelligence it will need to do many more of the things we are asking car washes to do today.
The key to the future of the car wash industry will be robotics and conveyor system processes along with artificial intelligence; so the machine will actually wash the car and dry it, take your money and tell you to have a wonderful day! Currently we are at 5.2% unemployment Nationwide and car washing is hard work. Kids in school are entering robotics contests and robotics are heavy in play as the next generation will be big time into it and some; well, yes indeed, they will be working in the car washing sector.
Think of all the different industries that robotics, engineering and science today; will change our lives, work and standard of living tomorrow. I leave you with only a thought.
Being involved in the car wash industry for 27 years taught me a lot about robotics. Automated car wash systems have been around now over 70 years, think about it, this was the very beginning of robotics, especially conveyor type robotics. Even in my other life endeavors such as becoming a pilot, athlete, motorcycle racer, franchisor and even politics seem to be aided by the many modern principles of car washing. There are few things missing from the car wash model. In car washing you deal with car owners from all professions, nationalities and walks of life, as everyone owns a car. Everyone you see? Everyone is your customer or future customer. It's all one really. Everything kind of bleeds into everything else, no real definitive barriers like dimensions, airflows, songs & tunes, weather, cycles and the like. One is ending as another begins. Life kind of is like that too.
What I am getting at here is life really is like a conveyor type car wash if you think about it, isn’t it? You see artificial intelligence, trans-humanism, life-extension, robotics and car washing have lots in common. Just think much of the methodology of processes in manufacturing robotics today and assembly line type services originated at the car wash. As we develop Artificial Intelligence it will need to do many more of the things we are asking car washes to do today.
The key to the future of the car wash industry will be robotics and conveyor system processes along with artificial intelligence; so the machine will actually wash the car and dry it, take your money and tell you to have a wonderful day! Currently we are at 5.2% unemployment Nationwide and car washing is hard work. Kids in school are entering robotics contests and robotics are heavy in play as the next generation will be big time into it and some; well, yes indeed, they will be working in the car washing sector.
Think of all the different industries that robotics, engineering and science today; will change our lives, work and standard of living tomorrow. I leave you with only a thought.
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen is the first automaker to offer its customers a factory-fitted automotive communication solution that supports the Bluetooth SIM Access Profile. The handset integration product provides compatibility with a wide range of mobile phones from various manufacturers. A mobile phone holder is also offered as an option for users who wish to charge their phone in the car.
The Nokia Car Phone with Bluetooth Technology for the VW Passat is set for launch in Europe and Asia in 2nd quarter 2005."For the first time, an automaker is offering a communication solution using the Bluetooth SIM Access Profile that is factory-fitted in the vehicle. This represents an important engineering achievement: we have taken a further step toward universality and factory-installed, integrated communication solutions. The user can now take advantage of wide-ranging compatibility with a large number of mobile phones without having to rely on aftermarket solutions", says Marcus Stahl, General Manager Nokia Automotive.
The Nokia Car Phone with Bluetooth Technology can access the SIM card of the compatible mobile phone and log onto the GSM network. As soon as the user gets out of the car or presses a certain button on his mobile phone, the receiving mode is deactivated and the mobile phone automatically logs back onto the mobile network.
The VW Passat's Nokia Blue Tooth includes key functions such as radio mute and downloading of phonebook entries from compatible mobile phones via Bluetooth wireless technology, as well as additional basic functions such as voice dial, taking and ending calls, and redial.
As Volkswagen keeps producing cars with cutting edge technology, Partstrain maintains its lead on product excellence by its continuous supply of top grade Volkswagen Aftermarket and Replacement parts.
The Nokia Car Phone with Bluetooth Technology for the VW Passat is set for launch in Europe and Asia in 2nd quarter 2005."For the first time, an automaker is offering a communication solution using the Bluetooth SIM Access Profile that is factory-fitted in the vehicle. This represents an important engineering achievement: we have taken a further step toward universality and factory-installed, integrated communication solutions. The user can now take advantage of wide-ranging compatibility with a large number of mobile phones without having to rely on aftermarket solutions", says Marcus Stahl, General Manager Nokia Automotive.
The Nokia Car Phone with Bluetooth Technology can access the SIM card of the compatible mobile phone and log onto the GSM network. As soon as the user gets out of the car or presses a certain button on his mobile phone, the receiving mode is deactivated and the mobile phone automatically logs back onto the mobile network.
The VW Passat's Nokia Blue Tooth includes key functions such as radio mute and downloading of phonebook entries from compatible mobile phones via Bluetooth wireless technology, as well as additional basic functions such as voice dial, taking and ending calls, and redial.
As Volkswagen keeps producing cars with cutting edge technology, Partstrain maintains its lead on product excellence by its continuous supply of top grade Volkswagen Aftermarket and Replacement parts.
Defective
Have you or someone you loved owned or ridden in a Ford F150, Ford F250 light-duty, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator or Lincoln Blackwood model from 1997-2000? These models suffer from a serious defect that threatens the safety and lives of its passengers. As early as 1995 Ford’s testing on an Expedition revealed a defect in the door latching mechanism. It was found that under very light impact the doors would unlatch and open, resulting in victims falling from the vehicles, causing paralysis and death. Aware of this serious danger, Ford continued to release these defective models.
In late 1997, Transport Canada ran its own vehicle safety tests and observed this same door latch problem, contacted Ford, and revealed the defective doors to the public. Door latch systems are required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 206) to withstand the forces of a crash and remain closed, protecting drivers and passengers. The Ford vehicles do not follow this law. Some customers have even observed their Ford door opening while simply driving down the road. However, most customers do not become aware of the defect until it threatens their lives in a crash situation. By then it is too late.
All the accidents, injuries, and deaths resulting from the Ford door latch malfunctions could have been easily prevented, since it is alleged that Ford has known about the illegal, dangerous defect throughout the manufacturing process. Ford has not yet fixed the doors. Because the defect is illegal and because Ford knowingly distributed these dangerous vehicles, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from Ford for any injuries you or your family has suffered.
This defect may affect as many as 400,000 pickup trucks and SUV’s, and lawsuits have already been filed. As far apart as Canada and Texas, victims of Ford Motor Vehicle Company’s defective door latches have won huge monetary damages to repay for injuries as well as to fix their cars. Ford Motor Vehicle Company has placed you and your loved ones in danger by distributing this dangerous, illegal model. Even those who have not sustained injuries in a crash have won money to replace the broken doors. Please take action before it is too late. Contact a lawyer and discuss your case.
In late 1997, Transport Canada ran its own vehicle safety tests and observed this same door latch problem, contacted Ford, and revealed the defective doors to the public. Door latch systems are required by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 206) to withstand the forces of a crash and remain closed, protecting drivers and passengers. The Ford vehicles do not follow this law. Some customers have even observed their Ford door opening while simply driving down the road. However, most customers do not become aware of the defect until it threatens their lives in a crash situation. By then it is too late.
All the accidents, injuries, and deaths resulting from the Ford door latch malfunctions could have been easily prevented, since it is alleged that Ford has known about the illegal, dangerous defect throughout the manufacturing process. Ford has not yet fixed the doors. Because the defect is illegal and because Ford knowingly distributed these dangerous vehicles, you may be entitled to monetary compensation from Ford for any injuries you or your family has suffered.
This defect may affect as many as 400,000 pickup trucks and SUV’s, and lawsuits have already been filed. As far apart as Canada and Texas, victims of Ford Motor Vehicle Company’s defective door latches have won huge monetary damages to repay for injuries as well as to fix their cars. Ford Motor Vehicle Company has placed you and your loved ones in danger by distributing this dangerous, illegal model. Even those who have not sustained injuries in a crash have won money to replace the broken doors. Please take action before it is too late. Contact a lawyer and discuss your case.
Toyota Aftermar
The 2007 Lexus GS 450h is the world's first hybrid luxury sedan and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear wheel drive.
'Once again, we've applied our formula of no compromise engineering - this time to a luxury sport sedan which proves to us that hybrid power trains can work superbly in virtually any application,' said Lexus Vice President of Marketing Mark Templin. 'It's very important to continue pursuing substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, while continuing to improve performance and driving pleasure. Our customers wouldn't have it any other way.
It will be a rear wheel drive full hybrid making it able to travel at low speeds under electric propulsion alone. Lexus says the GS 450h will have gas mileage similar to the average 2-liter, 4-cylinder compact sedan.
The Lexus GS 450h is a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. A SULEV-rated vehicle is 90% cleaner than the average new car.
The GS 450h will have a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with a high-output electric motor--all driving the rear wheels--to pack horsepower at the level of a V8 engine. Lexus says it will have horsepower equivalent to a 4.5 liter V8. 0-60 acceleration is expected to be less than 6 seconds. For perspective, the 2006 GS 430 has a 4.3-liter V8 that has 300 horsepower.
It's built on the GS 430 platform and offers similar standard equipment and options, including a sunroof and perforated leather seats. It is visually identical to the GS 430, except for a large air dam on the front bumper to cool the electric motor, a power meter on the dashboard instead of an odometer, and 18-inch light-alloy wheels.
Hybrid technology, driving dynamics, motoring comfort and generous space inside redefines the new Lexus GS450h. Featuring more powerful and fuel efficient engines, innovative assistance systems, a wide range of safety features, as well as a superior standard of equipment, the new Toyota Lexus of today need no less than superior BMW replacement parts when the need arises.
'Once again, we've applied our formula of no compromise engineering - this time to a luxury sport sedan which proves to us that hybrid power trains can work superbly in virtually any application,' said Lexus Vice President of Marketing Mark Templin. 'It's very important to continue pursuing substantial reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, while continuing to improve performance and driving pleasure. Our customers wouldn't have it any other way.
It will be a rear wheel drive full hybrid making it able to travel at low speeds under electric propulsion alone. Lexus says the GS 450h will have gas mileage similar to the average 2-liter, 4-cylinder compact sedan.
The Lexus GS 450h is a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. A SULEV-rated vehicle is 90% cleaner than the average new car.
The GS 450h will have a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with a high-output electric motor--all driving the rear wheels--to pack horsepower at the level of a V8 engine. Lexus says it will have horsepower equivalent to a 4.5 liter V8. 0-60 acceleration is expected to be less than 6 seconds. For perspective, the 2006 GS 430 has a 4.3-liter V8 that has 300 horsepower.
It's built on the GS 430 platform and offers similar standard equipment and options, including a sunroof and perforated leather seats. It is visually identical to the GS 430, except for a large air dam on the front bumper to cool the electric motor, a power meter on the dashboard instead of an odometer, and 18-inch light-alloy wheels.
Hybrid technology, driving dynamics, motoring comfort and generous space inside redefines the new Lexus GS450h. Featuring more powerful and fuel efficient engines, innovative assistance systems, a wide range of safety features, as well as a superior standard of equipment, the new Toyota Lexus of today need no less than superior BMW replacement parts when the need arises.
Whiplash
290,607 road users were killed or injured in the UK in 2003, 188,342 of those were the drivers or passengers in cars (Department for Transport). With the amount of cars on our roads multiplying by the year it is not surprising that accidents are frequent and that injuries such as whiplash affect so many people. Around 20% of rear end accidents result in a whiplash injury.
The incidence of neck injury to front seat passengers is higher (16 per cent) than for rear seat passengers (10 per cent) in rear end collisions, and front-seat passengers fare worse for neck sprains (19 per cent) than drivers (15 per cent). (What a Pain in the Neck – dotpharmacy.co.uk)
A whiplash injury is caused when the car driving behind you crashes into your rear end. The impact of the two cars colliding throws your body forward so that your neck and shoulders are under your head; your head extends forward and tips down a little. When you slam your foot on the break your head and body fly back in the opposite direction. This vigorous process happens extremely quickly and often results in an injury.
Many people suffer from neck pain or tenderness after an accident but find that these symptoms disappear relatively quickly. Other people are not as lucky and can go on to develop serious neck pain. There are several symptoms of whiplash to look out for. These are often experienced in the days preceding an accident.
o Headaches
o Neck pain
o Back pain
o Shoulder pain
o Ringing in the ears
o Sleeplessness
o Pain in the arms or hands
o Abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling, called paresthesias
o Depression
So what is whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue in the neck. Areas of the neck which can be affected are the discs and ligaments, cervical muscles, intervertabral joints and the roots of the nerves. Most injury to soft tissue cannot be seen with an x-ray so specialised scans may need to be carried out if symptoms persist into the long term. Treatment for people with whiplash used to involved immobilisation with a cervical collar, nowadays early mobilisation is encouraged instead. A soft collar may be worn but only for short periods at a time. Patients may also need to take pain medication, muscle relaxants and anti-depressants.
How can it be prevented?
According to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States, only eight out of 97 car seats tested went any way to preventing whiplash. It is thought that the height of the head rest is a crucial aspect of preventing injury. The cars that came out top in the tests were.
o The GM brand Saab, the 9-2X and the 9-3
o The Volvo S40, S60 and S80
o The Jaguar S Type.
Drivers should be reminded however that car manufacturers do not have sole responsibility for the prevention of whiplash. Until such a time comes when all vehicles are built with car seats like those in the Saab 9-2X, drivers should take a few steps to protect themselves. A head rest at the correct height for the passenger or driver can reduce the risk of whiplash by around 40-50%. The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends that the centre of the headrest be slightly above the top of the driver's ear. The top of the headrest should be at least as high as the top of the driver's head. Ideally, the distance between the headrest and the back of the driver's head should be 5-10 cm (2-4 inches).
Whiplash and compensation
If you have been involved in an accident and have sustained a whiplash injury you can normally claim compensation. Liability for the accident is not usually an issue when a driver has rear-ended you. Once the whiplash has been proven by medical reports damages can be claimed for loss of earnings, car damage and any special medical care that you require.
The incidence of neck injury to front seat passengers is higher (16 per cent) than for rear seat passengers (10 per cent) in rear end collisions, and front-seat passengers fare worse for neck sprains (19 per cent) than drivers (15 per cent). (What a Pain in the Neck – dotpharmacy.co.uk)
A whiplash injury is caused when the car driving behind you crashes into your rear end. The impact of the two cars colliding throws your body forward so that your neck and shoulders are under your head; your head extends forward and tips down a little. When you slam your foot on the break your head and body fly back in the opposite direction. This vigorous process happens extremely quickly and often results in an injury.
Many people suffer from neck pain or tenderness after an accident but find that these symptoms disappear relatively quickly. Other people are not as lucky and can go on to develop serious neck pain. There are several symptoms of whiplash to look out for. These are often experienced in the days preceding an accident.
o Headaches
o Neck pain
o Back pain
o Shoulder pain
o Ringing in the ears
o Sleeplessness
o Pain in the arms or hands
o Abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling, called paresthesias
o Depression
So what is whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue in the neck. Areas of the neck which can be affected are the discs and ligaments, cervical muscles, intervertabral joints and the roots of the nerves. Most injury to soft tissue cannot be seen with an x-ray so specialised scans may need to be carried out if symptoms persist into the long term. Treatment for people with whiplash used to involved immobilisation with a cervical collar, nowadays early mobilisation is encouraged instead. A soft collar may be worn but only for short periods at a time. Patients may also need to take pain medication, muscle relaxants and anti-depressants.
How can it be prevented?
According to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the United States, only eight out of 97 car seats tested went any way to preventing whiplash. It is thought that the height of the head rest is a crucial aspect of preventing injury. The cars that came out top in the tests were.
o The GM brand Saab, the 9-2X and the 9-3
o The Volvo S40, S60 and S80
o The Jaguar S Type.
Drivers should be reminded however that car manufacturers do not have sole responsibility for the prevention of whiplash. Until such a time comes when all vehicles are built with car seats like those in the Saab 9-2X, drivers should take a few steps to protect themselves. A head rest at the correct height for the passenger or driver can reduce the risk of whiplash by around 40-50%. The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends that the centre of the headrest be slightly above the top of the driver's ear. The top of the headrest should be at least as high as the top of the driver's head. Ideally, the distance between the headrest and the back of the driver's head should be 5-10 cm (2-4 inches).
Whiplash and compensation
If you have been involved in an accident and have sustained a whiplash injury you can normally claim compensation. Liability for the accident is not usually an issue when a driver has rear-ended you. Once the whiplash has been proven by medical reports damages can be claimed for loss of earnings, car damage and any special medical care that you require.
Quality
In America we salute quantity and pay lip service to quality. When manufacturers want to brag, they cite numbers of units produced, tons of ore mined, miles of cable laid, or millions of books sold. People involved in high production get gold-plated plaques, vacations in Las Vegas and outrageous bonuses. Where is quality management while this is happening? Fighting with production supervisors to maintain standards, trying to get budget to buy inspection tools, trying to get people to attend manufacturing and process improvement classes. The quality supervisor buys quality award certificates from Office Depot and fills them in himself.
Quantity has high sociological value. Producing lots of anything shows you have the "right corporate stuff". We give high production admiration and handsomely reward those who deliver the goods.
Quality is acknowledged as a good thing, but we expect to pay dearly for it, and management is secretly willing to sacrifice quality to get better production numbers. We sneered at German manufacturing and their devotion to quality. And why not, in a long war we proved decisively that quantity could defeat quality. We out-produced them at every turn and won a great victory. When a person or group succeeds in a great endeavor, that event can become a measuring stick for all similar future activities. It is, of course, poor reasoning at best. Yesterday’s solution is seldom appropriate for today’s problems.
In years gone by, if you were successful in life, made some money, you bought a quality German automobile. You told all your pals how well it was put together, how long it lasted. It isn’t true any more. J. D. Power and Associates rates Mercedes automobiles as a little below average compared to other automobiles. Something changed. Quality is what changed.
Quantity: Hail to thee, yardstick of real success in America and the world.
What is quality? Go to your bookstore and check the section on quality. It’s big. A lot of smart people have had a lot to say about it. And still it plays second fiddle to quantity. It seems so simple.
Here’s an absolute truism. It’s very expensive to build defective products. We ought to say this again. It’s very expensive to build defective products. We could also say, it’s very expensive to produce a lemon vehicle. But it’s not enough to say it. Those who are involved in the world of production have to learn it, absorb it; have it become as much a part of their lives as knowing how to drive their car.
"Like the frog that will sit in a pot of water and let itself be slowly boiled to death, we are very good at reacting to immediate danger to our survival, but we are very poor at recognizing gradual threats." -- Peter Senge
Downplaying the value of rigorous quality programs has gradual but inevitable effects. How long did it take Mercedes to go from a premier automobile manufacturer to just average? Roughly ten years. It’s expensive to ignore or downplay quality.
The following describes some of the costs associated with manufacturing a defective automobile:
- In the beginning there was a design. Maybe it was good, maybe it was a lemon.
- The design cost big bucks. The manufacturer wants that investment returned. This is a manufacturer expense.
- The manufacturer made lots of automobiles accoding to that design. Each cost a lot of money to build. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Manufacturers ship the automobiles and trucks to dealerships. The manufacturer sets aside money to pay for warranty repairs. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Some of the vehicle shiped are lemons. This is inevitable.
- Consumers buy the vehicles. The manufacturers make money for a change.
- Consumers are outraged They retain counsel and the manufacturers either end up returning the consumer's money or replacing their vehicle with a new vehicle. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Manufacturers have to pay for numerous warranty repairs. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Manufacturers contend with lemon law attorneys and have large legal expenses and bad public relations. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Some lemon defects are subject to massive recalls. This can be a huge expense to the manufacturer.
- Manufacturers become part of huge lemon laundering schemes. They lose serious money and it is more bad public relations. This is a manufacturer expense.
- The manufacturer much produce vehicles to replace those that were lemons. This is a manufacturer expense.
There's not much light at the end of this particular tunnel. There isn't much light in there. However, a focus on quality of service and prduct would certainly put some light in that dark tunnel.
When accountants do the numbers so many intangible things are overlooked. What looks like a fine bottom line in one moment is an utter failure a year down the road. The business driven entirely by the quarterly is always destructive in the long run.
Here’s another verse on the theme of this article.
"Defects are not free. Somebody makes them & gets paid for making them." Anonymous
Lest you think it is all bad, it isn’t. Some manufacturers make real efforts to create quality products and services. But there is a Catch-22 waiting in the weeds, and it is a tough one. As we stated in an earlier article, when talking about the complexity of the modern automobile, what can one do when the average vehicle has 10,000 to 15,000 parts? The chances that something will go wrong, that lemon vehicles in large numbers will be produced, increases exponentially. But Lexus and Infinity seem to have solved the quality problem, so manufacturers are not really stuck in this Catch-22.
In the war between quality and the bottom line, the bottom line always wins out. Promotions aren’t passed out when people improve quality and sustain these improvements. The young executive fresh from Wharton or Harvard has a plan, and that plan is promotion. He or she has been taught shortsightedness in school and by our peculiar marketplace. There is no incentive to plan for quality on a long-term basis of years. But, there is every incentive to increase production and sales.
One of the results of this battle is more and more lemon vehicles on our highways. Until manufacturers become convinced that it’s cheaper to build quality vehicles than it is to build more vehicles, and hide the defects, the current situation is not likely to change. So far the accountants have the upper hand, just as they did in the 60’s when Ford Pintos were exploding all over the roads of America.
Quantity has high sociological value. Producing lots of anything shows you have the "right corporate stuff". We give high production admiration and handsomely reward those who deliver the goods.
Quality is acknowledged as a good thing, but we expect to pay dearly for it, and management is secretly willing to sacrifice quality to get better production numbers. We sneered at German manufacturing and their devotion to quality. And why not, in a long war we proved decisively that quantity could defeat quality. We out-produced them at every turn and won a great victory. When a person or group succeeds in a great endeavor, that event can become a measuring stick for all similar future activities. It is, of course, poor reasoning at best. Yesterday’s solution is seldom appropriate for today’s problems.
In years gone by, if you were successful in life, made some money, you bought a quality German automobile. You told all your pals how well it was put together, how long it lasted. It isn’t true any more. J. D. Power and Associates rates Mercedes automobiles as a little below average compared to other automobiles. Something changed. Quality is what changed.
Quantity: Hail to thee, yardstick of real success in America and the world.
What is quality? Go to your bookstore and check the section on quality. It’s big. A lot of smart people have had a lot to say about it. And still it plays second fiddle to quantity. It seems so simple.
Here’s an absolute truism. It’s very expensive to build defective products. We ought to say this again. It’s very expensive to build defective products. We could also say, it’s very expensive to produce a lemon vehicle. But it’s not enough to say it. Those who are involved in the world of production have to learn it, absorb it; have it become as much a part of their lives as knowing how to drive their car.
"Like the frog that will sit in a pot of water and let itself be slowly boiled to death, we are very good at reacting to immediate danger to our survival, but we are very poor at recognizing gradual threats." -- Peter Senge
Downplaying the value of rigorous quality programs has gradual but inevitable effects. How long did it take Mercedes to go from a premier automobile manufacturer to just average? Roughly ten years. It’s expensive to ignore or downplay quality.
The following describes some of the costs associated with manufacturing a defective automobile:
- In the beginning there was a design. Maybe it was good, maybe it was a lemon.
- The design cost big bucks. The manufacturer wants that investment returned. This is a manufacturer expense.
- The manufacturer made lots of automobiles accoding to that design. Each cost a lot of money to build. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Manufacturers ship the automobiles and trucks to dealerships. The manufacturer sets aside money to pay for warranty repairs. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Some of the vehicle shiped are lemons. This is inevitable.
- Consumers buy the vehicles. The manufacturers make money for a change.
- Consumers are outraged They retain counsel and the manufacturers either end up returning the consumer's money or replacing their vehicle with a new vehicle. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Manufacturers have to pay for numerous warranty repairs. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Manufacturers contend with lemon law attorneys and have large legal expenses and bad public relations. This is a manufacturer expense.
- Some lemon defects are subject to massive recalls. This can be a huge expense to the manufacturer.
- Manufacturers become part of huge lemon laundering schemes. They lose serious money and it is more bad public relations. This is a manufacturer expense.
- The manufacturer much produce vehicles to replace those that were lemons. This is a manufacturer expense.
There's not much light at the end of this particular tunnel. There isn't much light in there. However, a focus on quality of service and prduct would certainly put some light in that dark tunnel.
When accountants do the numbers so many intangible things are overlooked. What looks like a fine bottom line in one moment is an utter failure a year down the road. The business driven entirely by the quarterly is always destructive in the long run.
Here’s another verse on the theme of this article.
"Defects are not free. Somebody makes them & gets paid for making them." Anonymous
Lest you think it is all bad, it isn’t. Some manufacturers make real efforts to create quality products and services. But there is a Catch-22 waiting in the weeds, and it is a tough one. As we stated in an earlier article, when talking about the complexity of the modern automobile, what can one do when the average vehicle has 10,000 to 15,000 parts? The chances that something will go wrong, that lemon vehicles in large numbers will be produced, increases exponentially. But Lexus and Infinity seem to have solved the quality problem, so manufacturers are not really stuck in this Catch-22.
In the war between quality and the bottom line, the bottom line always wins out. Promotions aren’t passed out when people improve quality and sustain these improvements. The young executive fresh from Wharton or Harvard has a plan, and that plan is promotion. He or she has been taught shortsightedness in school and by our peculiar marketplace. There is no incentive to plan for quality on a long-term basis of years. But, there is every incentive to increase production and sales.
One of the results of this battle is more and more lemon vehicles on our highways. Until manufacturers become convinced that it’s cheaper to build quality vehicles than it is to build more vehicles, and hide the defects, the current situation is not likely to change. So far the accountants have the upper hand, just as they did in the 60’s when Ford Pintos were exploding all over the roads of America.
Notch Benz Repla
The new E55 AMG wagon packs power of 469 horsepower and 0-to-60 mph times of 4.6 seconds with its 5.5-liter supercharged AMG V8 engine. It has high-performance four-wheel disc brakes with oversize perforated and ventilated rotors with multi-piston calipers.
The exclusive new wagon also comes with AMG aerodynamic bodywork with AMG 18-inch alloy wheels with staggered tires. Inside, black Birdseye maple trim is standard, as well as special AMG gauges and sport seats finished in nappa leather.
Standard to the E55 AMG wagon are four-zone climate control that allows different temperature settings for the rear outboard passengers as well as the driver and front passenger. Also standard on the both the E55 AMG wagon and sedan models is a harman kardon Logic 7 audio system that features seven-channel surround sound, concert-quality output and 12 high-end speakers.
Air suspension from the S-Class, called Airmatic DC (for Dual Control), is standard on the E55 AMG models. Airmatic suspension uses sensors that monitor road conditions, driving style and cornering forces to ensure that the system always chooses the best air spring and shock absorber settings. The system can switch between different damping profiles in a fraction of a second, and the driver can also select from four pre-set suspension response programs.
A new sports suspension for the CLS55 AMG that's based on the Mercedes-Benz semi-active air suspension with giant vented and perforated disc brakes carry staggered 19-inch wheels with 255/35 tires in front and 285/30 at the rear. To help handle all the power, the ESP system can apply the brakes on just one wheel to transfer torque to the wheels with better traction, achieving much the same effect as a limited-slip differential.
Partstrain provides you with a complete line of the highest quality Mercedes Benz import car parts, performance truck parts, and custom automobile parts. Highly dependable and proven Mercedes Benz interior and exterior parts, automobile and truck engine parts, as well as auto accessories are in stock to meet all your standards and preferences.
The exclusive new wagon also comes with AMG aerodynamic bodywork with AMG 18-inch alloy wheels with staggered tires. Inside, black Birdseye maple trim is standard, as well as special AMG gauges and sport seats finished in nappa leather.
Standard to the E55 AMG wagon are four-zone climate control that allows different temperature settings for the rear outboard passengers as well as the driver and front passenger. Also standard on the both the E55 AMG wagon and sedan models is a harman kardon Logic 7 audio system that features seven-channel surround sound, concert-quality output and 12 high-end speakers.
Air suspension from the S-Class, called Airmatic DC (for Dual Control), is standard on the E55 AMG models. Airmatic suspension uses sensors that monitor road conditions, driving style and cornering forces to ensure that the system always chooses the best air spring and shock absorber settings. The system can switch between different damping profiles in a fraction of a second, and the driver can also select from four pre-set suspension response programs.
A new sports suspension for the CLS55 AMG that's based on the Mercedes-Benz semi-active air suspension with giant vented and perforated disc brakes carry staggered 19-inch wheels with 255/35 tires in front and 285/30 at the rear. To help handle all the power, the ESP system can apply the brakes on just one wheel to transfer torque to the wheels with better traction, achieving much the same effect as a limited-slip differential.
Partstrain provides you with a complete line of the highest quality Mercedes Benz import car parts, performance truck parts, and custom automobile parts. Highly dependable and proven Mercedes Benz interior and exterior parts, automobile and truck engine parts, as well as auto accessories are in stock to meet all your standards and preferences.
Auto Classifieds
Auto Classifieds are a great way to sell your car. But you have a choice now to sell online, offline or a combination of both.
Let me just give you a few quick pros and cons that should jog a decision.
The Advantages of Online Auto Classifieds
wide coverage
nice pictures possible
more space for description
usually can be found from a search engine
run it till you sell more common
Disadvantages:
search means customer usually searching for that exact car or near to it - misses buyers who chance on your car
depends on traffic of site as too whether your ad is seen
lower trust from internet based advertising
Misses non-internet people
The Advantages of Offline Auto Classifieds
higher trust factor
picks up online and offline buyers
no computer knowledge or site technology to interfere with the buying process
Disadvantages
pictures expensive
less room for description
may miss 'online only' buyers.
You may be able to think of a few more. Now for some facts. The six cars I sold last year, were all advertised in online AND offline auto classifieds, and were sold for the price I wanted. Three were sold from online classifieds and three from offline.
So from this statistic, the solution would seem to be - spread your message across both mediums.
Let me just give you a few quick pros and cons that should jog a decision.
The Advantages of Online Auto Classifieds
wide coverage
nice pictures possible
more space for description
usually can be found from a search engine
run it till you sell more common
Disadvantages:
search means customer usually searching for that exact car or near to it - misses buyers who chance on your car
depends on traffic of site as too whether your ad is seen
lower trust from internet based advertising
Misses non-internet people
The Advantages of Offline Auto Classifieds
higher trust factor
picks up online and offline buyers
no computer knowledge or site technology to interfere with the buying process
Disadvantages
pictures expensive
less room for description
may miss 'online only' buyers.
You may be able to think of a few more. Now for some facts. The six cars I sold last year, were all advertised in online AND offline auto classifieds, and were sold for the price I wanted. Three were sold from online classifieds and three from offline.
So from this statistic, the solution would seem to be - spread your message across both mediums.
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