Vro0m Ro0m

Good Morning!

Its wonderful when there is serious warmth, with a touch of humidity. There is something about very warm weather that is totally cool...hopefully you took some time to enjoy it...we did.

A quick overview of Canadian sales, at the end of June (6 months) the Canadian market is 9.1% ahead of last year with trucks doing most if not all of the gains. Yes...Canadians love CUV's and strong promotions on pick ups. Ford has displaced GM as the unit leader in Canada. You can quickly conclude that any manufacturer that is not 9.1% ahead of last year is not trending with the Canadian market. 

You can also conclude that the trend that we identified last year of "trading up" and "trading down" is still active in the market. The trading up is powered by leasing, the trading down is facilitated by longer term (at least 60 months) financing. 

You can conclude that a softer than expected April and May, probably motivated some manufacturers to raise the level, and robustness of the "deals" offered in June.

Once we have the model breakdowns we will take a closer look at the figures and numbers, stay tuned as they say.

If you missed our chat with The Colonel just scroll down, we are certain that you will find it interesting. As well our good friend Brian shared his thoughts on Journalism, you can find them on his blog...here. If you have an opinion you can certainly leave a comment.

You are certainly aware that Bugatti went 268 MPH with a Veyron, a new world record! An informative interview with Pierre-Henri Raphanel who was driving the car for the record run.

Have you noticed that Chrysler is downplaying the Hemi branding of its V8? It was never a genuine hemispherical head engine, it was/is a V8 riding on the reputation of the original Hemi. This is a Hemi.

Since we always conclude, or seem to conclude with a photo gallery of old race cars this gallery is from the Festival of Speed at Goodwood...enjoy!

Might as well enjoy photos from the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours from Goodwood. 

Chat with The Colonel

After covering 6 months of the first year, of the new decade, of the new century (2010) we have an opportunity to sit with The Colonel (who is this guy?) and ask a few questions, on how he sees the 6 months that have just gone by, and perhaps how he sees the "tea leaves" for the next 6 months. 

Lets get going...

Q- Colonel Thank You for taking the time! What has really caught your attention in the past 6 months?

A- The incessant talk of recovery, more recovery, and even more recovery. Seems that telling folks that we entered a New Reality is perhaps too raw. Almost 2 years ago we were describing a new reality in this publication. Obvious too the Spill is an ongoing attraction.

Q- How is the Social Autosphere evolving (auto blogosphere)?

A- Its evolving as expected, increasingly everyone knows something, everyone is a publisher, there is a flood of opinions, comments. The challenge is to find meaningful information, and conversations among the vast amount of published information. Remember when we mentioned that increasingly one had to become his own editor to filter all the information. 

Q- We get the feeling that you have to push the envelope, be innovative, and perhaps disruptive.

A- I agree with you guys. When everyone is serving the same information. Simple question...why should someone listen, and participate in your conversation instead of another. As you know, when we comment or make a statements we can substantiate our position from a knowledge base, and experience perspective.

Q- We heard comments that the reviews are tame.

A- By tame you mean not critical. Its a review, its an experience with a vehicle, its not a "critical analysis" or an all encompassing comparison. We express an opinion on our experience with the vehicle. The majority of the time its a vehicle that has grasped our interest for one reason or another.

Q- Other folks are in the business of doing critical analysis, and comparisons.

A- Exactly, we are not in that business. Just like we are not in the doing "burn out" business. 

Q- It would be cool to see more dealers involved in the Social Autosphere.

A- Yes it would, at some point they will, you guys were quite generous in publishing your thoughts at large, and even inviting dealers to interact. 

Q- No one contacted us from the presentation, although many folks read it.

A- It would have been a miracle if anyone would have contacted you from the presentation, perhaps you knew that, but hoped for a different outcome. Plus there is so much talk on social media (many individuals trying to cash in), similar to the early days of the Internet. 

Q- We made meaningful progress with Strada.

A- Guys, have to give it to you Strada has probably crossed the shark and become its own online publication, not mainstream, but a compelling niche publication. You guys should take a moment, and be proud of what you have accomplished so far in 2010. 

Q- You feel that Strada has progressed.

A- You want me to do some "horn honkin' for Strada"....we communicate what we know, understand, and is of interest to us, and more important the folks that read what we publish and care enough to comment be it on Strada or Twitter. Its the "readers/commenters" that make a difference. Yes, the readers are "pretty smart"...

Q- Now to the tea leaves, where is the economy going?

A- If the major players agree, and from the G20 meeting there is some sort of overall consensus the economy of the planet will have some stability. Closer to home, the second half of 2010 and going into 2011 will increasingly be marked by the reality of "balancing budgets" and repaying the money that was used to stimulate economies (and throw some life lines).   

Q- How about the auto industry in North America?

A- Forget recovery, forget the numbers of a few years ago, its a new reality, new normal. On the surface the game is the same, on a shallow dive the game is altered, on a deeper dive some folks are winning, while others are losing. 

Motus KMV4 Motor

Perhaps you heard of the Motus MST-01 motorcycle with the V4 motor. If you have never heard of Motus, take a moment to view the video, and visit the site.

Totally cool...the sound is...well its awesome! 

Visit the Motus site to view the MST-01 motorcycle...here.

Spyker C8

Jay Leno drives the Spyker C8 Laviolette...enjoy!

Range Rover Evoque

A video is worth...