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At last, the Road Rake gets to write about something truly topical, politically speaking.
Well, well, after decades of getting a chance to build good cars, the "Big 3" need to be given over to the government. Look, it's not unions or health care costs that lead them to the brink. Detroit's "Big 2.5" are in deep crap because they build appliances instead of automobiles.
Today a power tool can bring you more pleasure than a Pontiac.
Most power tools are still made with lots of chunky metal and utilize engines that actually sound cool and macho. As for Pontiac, with the exception of the G8 and the Solstice Coupe (an Australian Holden and a German Opel in reality) no other Pontiacs can approximate the automotive experience. So now the Government moves in, just like the French, Italian and British Governments tried years ago.
What, you mean you have not driven a French or Italian car?
And Land Rover and Jaguar don't count as "real" British cars. Real British cars died when the labour government of Britain took over the Leyland Automotive Group in the 70s which resulted in the extinction of the British auto industry--with help from burnt Jaguar engines and a company called Lucas Electric.
They had a "Czar" much like the idea currently being proposed by both parties in Washington, with a penchant for social engineering and a soft spot for labour instead of cars.
The Road Rake has an affinity for neither (at least not labour leaders who leave their sandwiches in the trunks of cars so they smell bad in the showroom--which is the often-told story of a little monster called the Austin Allegro).
And I am ready to weild a chainsaw to get the job done (video soon.)
The Solstice may be a fun drive, but its styling is still craptastic. The Saturn Sky is styled much better and is, apart from the body, the same car.
But, for the record, whoever is chosen as car czar, the UAW is largely screwed.
The new coupe looks like a TVR--to name a cottage british car business that just went under (but made great looking stuff.)
The SKY is better looking by far.
The only guy I would nominate for car czar is Thomas Friedman. His article today about a "metered" electric car set-up where everyone can rent voltage like a pay-phone is the solution.
Its the only way I am every going to get my hands on a Tesla. Electric cars can actually drive faster than fossil fuel burners AND you can make them sound like whatever you'd like.
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