Vroom Room

Good Morning!

The first Vroom Room of 2013, its Friday, come in we have cappuccino, biscotti, make yourself comfortable, join the conversation.

Heading back to reality, you have surely been reading a variety of articles, and thoughts about the housing market in Canada, and some of the flaws in the "system". Starting in 2009 its CSM (Citizen Main Street) that has powered the Canadian economy, the housing market, and valuation of homes were a contributing factor in powering the economy. 

A few months ago, the message was as blunt as a sledge hammer, and crystal clear, the Canadian consumer is "tapped out", the housing market is hovering at heights that are perilous, while Canadian companies are sitting on mountains of cash, which is reasonable course of action (are we that naive) considering global uncertainties.

Yes...Canadian companies need to start powering up the Canadian economy.

Focusing on the wrong priorities, accompanied by fear mongering will simply exacerbate the housing market, further rattle consumer confidence, and hurt auto sales in Canada. In a few days after every pundits will comment on a record or near record auto sales in Canada for 2012, what will develop in 2013? What are your thoughts? Care to leave a comment.

An opportunity to browse the catalogue for the upcoming RM Auction Arizona sale on January 18...that Cobra again.

Think about this, we have snow in Canada, we have cold, and snow storms, freezing rain, black ice, its been going on for centuries. Why is it that when we have an appreciable snow fall the media behaves as if it never happened before. Its winter, its normal to have snow and at times more snow, its totally normal to know how to deal with snow, be it to walk, shovel, drive, have fun. The entire process has been around for centuries...

Informative article from iPolitics Crisis of Confidence The Long Fall of the Middle Class.

Canadian sales...do we really have to mention that the manufacturers that were competitive during 2012 had a strong December, and a strong 2012. 

Our habitual old race car today is a fascinating profile of a Ferrari 250TR

Slipping and Sliding

When a video is worth a gazillion words...

Christmas Eve

Almost there...

Vro0m Ro0m

Good Morning!

1958 Facel Vega SedanMake yourself comfortable...yes Christmas is lurking on the horizon. The cappuccino and biscotti are served.

Last Friday we went to the Toronto Motorcycle Show, we did our usual photo shoot. We were surprised to realise that its the 4th year that we are covering the bike show. It was encouraging to see an upbeat atmosphere, and more visitors, both positive signs for the industry. As well as several interesting bikes, the photo gallery in case you missed it is...here.

Remember...we shared our thoughts on BMW "blinking" in Canada...here. We were more than a little surprised, although we understand the reasoning of Mercedes "blinking" in the US, an opinion from TTAC on M-B blinking...here. 

Remember the old tales of always carrying some "extras" when you travel in winter, like extra blanket, boots, gloves, and so on...some folks this past week had a reality check how wind and drifting snow can quickly alter driving conditions. Wonderful to see people reach out a helping hand to help other folks, its a wonderful overture to the Christmas season when folks care enough to help other folks.

If the auto blogosphere could use some fine tuning, which is normal. The moto blogoshpere is under a rock, and one wonders why the motorcycle business is challenged in Canada. We went to the motorcycle show, one of the more prominent manufacturer had one of their latest offering on a display stand, there were several individuals with shirts infested with logo (they must work there) circling the bike. They see that someone wants to take a photo of the bike, they see that this individual has a media tag, you think they would move to facilitate the photo, or approach the individual and acknowledge "something"....."anything"...a Good Morning would work. 

Seems the moto industry in Canada has forgotten that they need to create customers, avail themselves of all the targeted exposure they can get, and perhaps start to have an understanding of social media. The majority of manufacturers with a few exceptions behave as of they ran out of bikes with customers lined up clamoring for more....folks its 2011 and you desperately need to sell bikes in Canada! You knew that...

The usual old race cars...here.