U.S. auto sales -- helped by strong retail volume, new models and fuel-efficient vehicles -- rose 18 percent last month as automakers beat back the effects of rising gasoline prices and dwindling supplies of vehicles.
The seasonally adjusted annual sales rate of 13.2 million marked the third straight month above the 13 million mark. Every automaker increased sales as the industry posted its second biggest percentage gain of the year.
South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia paced the gainers with a combined increase of 47 percent. Their three biggest Japanese rivals – Toyota, Honda and Nissan – all lost share as they battled product shortages following the March 11 earthquake. General Motors and Chrysler boosted share.
“There’s a recovery going on in the auto industry and the economy,” Ford sales analyst George Pipas said. “There are more people working today than 2 or 3 months ago, and there’s more income.”
U.S. auto sales are now up 20 percent for the year. Last month’s SAAR of 13.2 million is still well below the industry’s sales peak of more than 17 million units in 2000 and 2001 but a sign that the industry’s recovery is continuing despite rising fuel prices and mixed readings on employment growth and consumer confidence.
GM’s gain was spurred by a 50 percent jump in demand for cars including the new Chevrolet Cruze. But large pickups rose just 2 percent, and sales of some of the automaker’s biggest SUVs slumped.
Ford said sales rose 13 percent last month. At the Ford division, volume jumped 24 percent on higher sales of F-Series pickups and the new Explorer crossover. Both models offer more fuel-efficient powertrains. But at Lincoln, demand eased 1 percent, reflecting a drop in crossover and large SUV sales.
Hyundai, propelled by the new Elantra small car, said sales rose 40 percent to set an April record of 61,754 units. Hyundai said it expects its U.S. retail market share to hit a record 5.7 percent for the month.
Hyundai also said its sales to fleet customers have dropped 45 percent this year, with fleet representing 13 percent of volume year-to-date and 11 percent in April.
Nissan said higher sales of fuel-efficient models such as the Altima, Sentra, Leaf and Rogue offset a drop in truck and SUV demand. Its overall sales rose 12 percent.
But Toyota Motor Co.’s sales rose just 1 percent last month, with Lexus down 4 percent and Scion surging 60 percent.
Toyota-brand car sales dropped 2 percent, while its truck and SUV volume rose 2 percent. Bob Carter, head of Toyota’s American division, said the automaker was looking forward to “healthy inventory” despite the impact of parts shortages from Japan.
Shift underway
The shift to small cars from larger vehicles accelerated last month, as expected, automakers said.
Honda Motor Co. said demand for the sub-compact Fit rose 66 percent to an April record of 8,116 units and sales of the Insight hybrid jumped 35.4 percent to an April record of 2,644 units.
“Consumers are continuing to rethink their vehicle choice," said Don Johnson, head of GM’s U.S. sales operations. “A lot of sales continue to go into the compact car segment as well as the compact crossover segment."
Sales of the Cruze compact topped 25,000 units in April, with retail volume nearly triple the car it replaced, the Cobalt, from a year earlier.
GM said Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac each set April total and retail sales records for crossover sales, led by a 49-percent increase in combined retail sales of the Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain and Cadillac SRX.
But demand for the Chevrolet Suburban SUV dropped 31 percent last month. Chevy Tahoe sales fell 16 percent.
GM said its incentives per vehicle dropped by about $400 from March to April, without providing specifics. Truecar.com, an online shopping site, estimated GM’s incentives averaged $3,524 last month, up about 6.3 percent from the previous month and up 5.8 percent from a year ago.
Sales outlook
Still, rising gasoline prices and model shortages stemming from the March 11 earthquake in Japan are expected to dampen sales in coming months.
Barclays analyst Brian Johnson this week cut his 2011 sales forecast by 300,000 units to 13.2 million, still among the highest estimates among analysts.
Discounts are forecast to drop 11 percent from April 2010 to $2,386 per vehicle last month, Truecar said.
“With inventory dwindling, automakers didn’t have to spend as much money to move metal,” TrueCar.com analyst Kristen Andersson said. “Incentive spending was at its lowest level since January 2006.”
J.D. Power and Associates said new-vehicle retail sales continued to perform well in the second half of April despite growing inventory concerns, specifically compact vehicle supplies.
“Increasing gas prices and shortages in vehicle inventory have yet to trump the overall recovery that has been progressing since the fall of 2010,” said Jeff Schuster, head of global forecasting at J.D. Power.
“However, looking at the remainder of the year, growing uncertainty about gas prices and stockpiles is increasing the risk that that the industry may not reach the expected 13 million-unit level for total light-vehicle sales.”
Gas prices
Average U.S. gas prices -- $3.80 a gallon -- are higher at this point in the year than they were in 2008, when a surge in fuel prices sent industry sales tumbling.
But U.S. car shoppers are responding to higher gas prices by choosing smaller vehicles and engines.
Volkswagen of America said it had its best month since November 2003 because of strong sales of the redesigned Jetta compact sedan. Reflective of a gas-conscious consumer, sales of the compact Tiguan SUV rose 48 percent to 2,791 vehicles and “high-mileage,” diesel-powered vehicles represented 23 percent of all vehicles sold in April, VW said.
Ford says nearly 50 percent of the F-150 pickups it has sold in recent weeks and months have been equipped with one of two new V-6 engines now offered. In April, V-6 equipped F-150s accounted for 50 percent of all 2011 F-150 retail sales, up from 40 percent in March.
During the first 24 days of April, retail sales of small cars represented 23.9 percent of all light vehicle sales, up from 21 percent during the same period in 2010, Ford said.
Overall, retail sales of cars accounted for 52.9 percent of industry sales, up from 51.7 percent during the first 24 days of April 2010.
Minivans and pickups lost ground industry-wide in April, Ford said.
Decent truck demand
Still, truck demand has remained resilient despite the surge in gas prices.
Sales of the redesigned Porsche Cayenne SUV have surged 141 percent this year. Land Rover sales are up 19 percent. Chrysler reported a 29 percent jump in Ram pickup sales last month, and year-to-date sales are up 36 percent to 70,419 units.
Ford sold 45,435 F-Series pickups in April, an increase of 11 percent from a year ago, and sales are up 20 percent year-to-date. Ford Expedition SUV sales rose 8 percent last month and are up 15 percent for the year.
Analysts say wealthy consumers and small business owners are behind the rise in truck and SUV sales.
“Rising gas prices are pressuring truck sales, but the impact is more manageable this time around,” Johnson said in a report Monday.
“We estimate less share loss than in 2008 for large trucks as most discretionary buyers have already moved away from the segment.”
Dealers are also bracing for a shortage of models built in Japan.
Honda on Monday became the latest Japanese automaker to warn of more inventory shortages following the March earthquake in Japan. The quake, tsunami and nuclear crisis have disrupted parts production across Japan, forcing Honda, Toyota and other automakers to curtail output.
Honda said today its U.S. sales rose 10 percent last month, and are up 17 percent year-to-date.
“While our current dealer supply of vehicles remains adequate, we know that production constraints may start to affect sales into the summer months,” John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda, said today. “We are working closely with our dealers, and together we are committed to continue our focus to support the needs of our customers.”
The inventory shortfall is expected to become more acute with smaller models such as the Honda Fit and Toyota Prius hybrid that are only assembled in Japan.
Prius demand dropped 4.3 percent last month, reflecting tightening supplies and a reduction in incentives.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
1988 Chevy S-10 Oil Runs Up The Dipstick
when driving 55mph or higher my oil pressure goes to 60-80
when i get home oil has ran all the way up my dipstick. I have checked for water in it possibly and havent noticed it milky looking or anything. I also replaced pcv valve. What else could be checked or needs to be done to find out why my oil keeps going up my dipstick? I read something in a haynes manual for this, and it says something about a charcoal canister needing to be cleaned. would that cause my oil to come out of the dipstick?
Response:
It could be, the canister is located on the radiator core support, has 3 vaccuum lines on the top, and a fibre filter on the bottem which is open, and approximately 6 inch diameter. Note 1 of the vaccuum lines goes to the PCV valve and follow your emmission diagram on the core support. But, depending on the mileage and driving habits, I suspect piston blow by. Run a compression check both wet and dry. Check the color of the spark plug electrode. And finally, do a vaccuum check. Have you ever noticed or wondered why Preformance vechicles have taller or multi vented valve covers? It's so the crankcase can breathe at higher RPM's. They also have a larger oil pan that holds as much as twice as normal.If the crankcase can't breathe then it fills with gases and builds pressue. That pressure goes the path of the least resistance. In some cases the dip stick tube, others, seals and gaskets.
when i get home oil has ran all the way up my dipstick. I have checked for water in it possibly and havent noticed it milky looking or anything. I also replaced pcv valve. What else could be checked or needs to be done to find out why my oil keeps going up my dipstick? I read something in a haynes manual for this, and it says something about a charcoal canister needing to be cleaned. would that cause my oil to come out of the dipstick?
Response:
It could be, the canister is located on the radiator core support, has 3 vaccuum lines on the top, and a fibre filter on the bottem which is open, and approximately 6 inch diameter. Note 1 of the vaccuum lines goes to the PCV valve and follow your emmission diagram on the core support. But, depending on the mileage and driving habits, I suspect piston blow by. Run a compression check both wet and dry. Check the color of the spark plug electrode. And finally, do a vaccuum check. Have you ever noticed or wondered why Preformance vechicles have taller or multi vented valve covers? It's so the crankcase can breathe at higher RPM's. They also have a larger oil pan that holds as much as twice as normal.If the crankcase can't breathe then it fills with gases and builds pressue. That pressure goes the path of the least resistance. In some cases the dip stick tube, others, seals and gaskets.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Ford: Optional EcoBoost V-6 engine proves popular with F-150 buyers
DETROIT -- Sales of Ford F-150 pickups with the optional EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 engine have surpassed company estimates, with some dealers reporting robust demand as gasoline prices rise.
"We had a sales forecast but it has jumped up a little faster than we thought," said Marc Lapine, consumer marketing manager for Ford Motor Co.
Credit the increase to rising fuel prices. The EcoBoost V-6 is one of Ford's newest engines, offering horsepower and torque comparable to a V-8 and the fuel economy of a V-6.
The price of the optional EcoBoost engine ranges from $750 to $1,750 depending on the F-150 model. Production began in January. So far this month, F-150s with the engine option account for 36 percent of F-150 sales and 40 percent of the pickup's orders, Lapine said.
There is a 13-day supply of F-150s with the option, he said.
Not staying put
"We thought there would be a little more time between the early adopters and the other people who said, 'Hey, now I am ready to buy it,' " Lapine said. "It is not staying put very long."
The EcoBoost engine increases fuel economy up to 20 percent and cuts carbon dioxide emissions up to 15 percent compared with comparable V-8s, the automaker said.
With average U.S. gasoline prices near $4 a gallon, consumers are looking at smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Wayne Seidel, general manager of Hiller Ford in Franklin, Wis., said the response to the EcoBoost F-150 has been "awesome."
"As soon as this fuel thing started, probably two months ago, all of a sudden people are coming in, asking, 'Do you have an EcoBoost?' I've sold every one that I can get my hands on," Seidel said.
Beyond expectations
Ford told dealers that demand for the EcoBoost V-6 would evolve slowly because owners of V-8-powered pickups would be reluctant to buy trucks with smaller engines.
"The reception of the truck has been beyond our expectations," Seidel said.
Ford touts the EcoBoost V-6 as having the power and torque of a V-8. In addition to turbocharging with direct injection, EcoBoost technology includes variable valve timing. The engine produces 365 hp and 420 pounds-feet of torque. It is rated at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway. With EcoBoost, the pickup can tow up to 11,300 pounds.
By comparison, Ford's base two-wheel-drive F-150 has a 302-hp 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 278 pounds-feet of torque. The pickup is rated at 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway and it can tow up to 6,100 pounds.
Additionally, Ford offers a 360-hp 5.0-liter V-8 with 380 pounds-feet of torque, rated at 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway. It can tow up to 10,000 pounds.
Ford's 411-hp 6.2-liter V-8 produces 434 pounds-feet of torque and is rated at 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway. It can tow up to 11,300 pounds.
During a telephone interview, Mitchell Dale,dealer principal of McRee Ford in Dickinson, Texas, said the response to the V-6 EcoBoost option has been "terrific."
Dale has delivered about 27 F-150s with the option.
"People are amazed at the power," Dale said. He said several customers traded in diesel-powered Super Duty pickups -- used mainly for transportation instead of towing -- for the F-150 EcoBoost. They are pleased with the fuel economy and the power, he said.
Marketing push
Last September Ford dealers received demonstration vehicles to familiarize owners of V-8-powered pickups with the new V-6 technology.
Additionally, Ford has used Facebook and other social media to tout the technology.
"We did a good job getting the word out and helping core customers understand EcoBoost technology and how it can be a durable, reliable alternative to a V-8," Lapine said.
Meanwhile, Jim Scott, co-owner of Jarrett Scott Ford in Plant City, Fla., said sales of F-150s with EcoBoost V-6s "are not humongous."
Scott blamed higher fuel prices for an overall decrease in his pickup sales.
But he added: "It's an awesome engine."
"We had a sales forecast but it has jumped up a little faster than we thought," said Marc Lapine, consumer marketing manager for Ford Motor Co.
Credit the increase to rising fuel prices. The EcoBoost V-6 is one of Ford's newest engines, offering horsepower and torque comparable to a V-8 and the fuel economy of a V-6.
The price of the optional EcoBoost engine ranges from $750 to $1,750 depending on the F-150 model. Production began in January. So far this month, F-150s with the engine option account for 36 percent of F-150 sales and 40 percent of the pickup's orders, Lapine said.
There is a 13-day supply of F-150s with the option, he said.
Not staying put
"We thought there would be a little more time between the early adopters and the other people who said, 'Hey, now I am ready to buy it,' " Lapine said. "It is not staying put very long."
The EcoBoost engine increases fuel economy up to 20 percent and cuts carbon dioxide emissions up to 15 percent compared with comparable V-8s, the automaker said.
With average U.S. gasoline prices near $4 a gallon, consumers are looking at smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Wayne Seidel, general manager of Hiller Ford in Franklin, Wis., said the response to the EcoBoost F-150 has been "awesome."
"As soon as this fuel thing started, probably two months ago, all of a sudden people are coming in, asking, 'Do you have an EcoBoost?' I've sold every one that I can get my hands on," Seidel said.
Beyond expectations
Ford told dealers that demand for the EcoBoost V-6 would evolve slowly because owners of V-8-powered pickups would be reluctant to buy trucks with smaller engines.
"The reception of the truck has been beyond our expectations," Seidel said.
Ford touts the EcoBoost V-6 as having the power and torque of a V-8. In addition to turbocharging with direct injection, EcoBoost technology includes variable valve timing. The engine produces 365 hp and 420 pounds-feet of torque. It is rated at 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway. With EcoBoost, the pickup can tow up to 11,300 pounds.
By comparison, Ford's base two-wheel-drive F-150 has a 302-hp 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 278 pounds-feet of torque. The pickup is rated at 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway and it can tow up to 6,100 pounds.
Additionally, Ford offers a 360-hp 5.0-liter V-8 with 380 pounds-feet of torque, rated at 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway. It can tow up to 10,000 pounds.
Ford's 411-hp 6.2-liter V-8 produces 434 pounds-feet of torque and is rated at 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway. It can tow up to 11,300 pounds.
During a telephone interview, Mitchell Dale,dealer principal of McRee Ford in Dickinson, Texas, said the response to the V-6 EcoBoost option has been "terrific."
Dale has delivered about 27 F-150s with the option.
"People are amazed at the power," Dale said. He said several customers traded in diesel-powered Super Duty pickups -- used mainly for transportation instead of towing -- for the F-150 EcoBoost. They are pleased with the fuel economy and the power, he said.
Marketing push
Last September Ford dealers received demonstration vehicles to familiarize owners of V-8-powered pickups with the new V-6 technology.
Additionally, Ford has used Facebook and other social media to tout the technology.
"We did a good job getting the word out and helping core customers understand EcoBoost technology and how it can be a durable, reliable alternative to a V-8," Lapine said.
Meanwhile, Jim Scott, co-owner of Jarrett Scott Ford in Plant City, Fla., said sales of F-150s with EcoBoost V-6s "are not humongous."
Scott blamed higher fuel prices for an overall decrease in his pickup sales.
But he added: "It's an awesome engine."
Friday, April 29, 2011
2003 Olds Silhouette Repair debacle and questions.
We have owned this 2003 Olds Silhouette for the past 2 years. It's by far the best vehicle we've yet owned. Had it from Michigan to Minnesota and back. Husband drives it every day a total of 62 miles. For the most part, we are confident in its reliability. It currently has 158,000 miles on it.
But we figured it was time for some general maintenance, and a repair. We have been hearing a POP noise when we go down an incline like a short, steep driveway. Primarily from the right. My husband thinks he's hearing it on the left now, too. I haven't heard that but definitely have the one on the right. Neither of us are car experts, but we figured ball joints or something similar. (My husband is that most dangerous of people, someone who knows "a little" about cars. He's getting better at admitting he really doesn't know all THAT much about them, really. ;D )
We've also got a bit of a wobbly, shaky ride. We put used but great condition tires on the front prior to the winter. Now, they are quite worn on the outside edges. My husband thinks they look canted to him and thinks we need an alignment. (I don't have the car here to tell you if the tires are more worn on inside, outside or evenly on both, but I think the inside was worn more.)
I took the van to a mechanic yesterday that came highly recommended. I trusted this guy and honestly, still don't think he was in any way trying to cheat me. However, this is what I asked him to do:
Check and top off trans fluid. Flush and fill radiator. Check AC but DO NOT RECHARGE until I know what everything else would cost in case we couldn't afford it after everything else. Change plugs and wires. Diagnose popping noise and do repair. Do an alignment.
The ONE thing I neglected to tell him was about the wobbly drive.
He was instructed to not do ANY repairs/tune-up/charging/etc until he called me with a report on what's causing the popping noise and what it would cost to fix it. We're under pretty tight funds and I needed to make sure the most important things were done and paid for leaving the rest for when we had more money.
I sat in the library all day while waiting to hear from him. Hours went by and I still hadn't, so I called him. He said he couldn't find what's causing the popping noise. Said that it might be something up in the struts, but he didn't think it was something like ball joints, etc. (I forget the exact wording he used, but it was akin to that). He said he'd keep looking, but that he thought the car was in excellent condition and safe to drive. Said he'd call back in an hour.
Well more than an hour went by. At least 2 or more. I called him again. He said he still can't find a problem causing a popping. He also said that we have platinum plugs and wires and that they don't need replacing. When I expressed some surprise and doubt about that, he said if I insist, he can replace them and charge us but that we don't need to.
In retrospect, the previous owner had this under warranty and had it serviced quite often - I wouldn't doubt he put top of the line plugs and wires in it. But my husband insists it's not running as smoothly as it did 2 years ago. He does the oil changes himself, most often well before the automatic "change oil" alert says we need to. And we think we could be getting slightly better gas mileage (we got 25 mpg when we drove it to Minnesota 2 years ago, and now get around 22.3 tops). I don't have them on hand right now, but I'll be double-checking the repair/maintenance records the previous owner supplied to see if there's note of what kind of plugs/wires he had put in.
In any case, the mechanic said he did the fluids and AC, which pissed me off a bit because the popping noise had not been fully diagnosed and I didn't want to put any money into something as unimportant as AC when still faced with possibly pricey repairs, and had VERY plainly told him so when I dropped the car off. I let that go and asked about the alignment. He said, "you want an alignment?" as if I'd never mentioned it (and saw him write it down). I did say I was not sure if an alignment should be done in case whatever's causing the popping noise would cause the car to quickly go out of alignment again. But that the car has a wobbly ride. He had not test driven it himself (had another guy do it) and didn't know about the wobbly ride. I said yes, it's quite obvious when driven, and that the tires are wearing unevenly, too. I told him I had to talk to my husband before he did anything else.
I talked to my husband. At this point, he was pissed and didn't want this guy doing anything else to it. So I called the guy back. He was out test driving the van, so I told the person on the phone to have him call me as soon as he got back.
Over a half hour went by. I called back. He answered the phone. He had been "messing with another car" and didn't call me. At this point, it was getting VERY late in the day and I needed the car back so I could pick up my husband from work. He said he felt the wobbly drive but blamed it on the condition of the tires. I don't doubt that is a big part of the problem at this point. However, the tires wore very quickly and both my husband and I think it's due to a misalignment.
I had a lot of trouble being confrontational with this guy because 1) I don't think he was intentionally blowing off my concerns 2) I trust that he wasn't trying to rip me off 3) I needed him to pick me up from the library and take me back to the shop to get my car, so I was facing a very uncomfortable ride if I at all got testy about things like him charging the AC, etc.
My husband and I are also willing to admit that we're not used to owning a vehicle that needs relatively little service. We're used to having lots of things go wrong with our cars (the 1999 Chevy S-10 was a particular nightmare of dysfunction), and having to dump a lot of work and time into them. We're willing to admit maybe we're not used to being told "the car is fine, it doesn't need pricey repairs done."
At this point, my husband and I agree on a course of action:
1) We're going to get 4 new (used) tires put on the car. We have a total of $1150 we're prepared to put into the car (after the $150 we paid this guy yesterday), and have a reliable tire shop with a set of nearly new tires for about $200 we're going to pursue.
2) Before we do that, we're going to take the car, with the current tires intact, to an already highly recommended alignment shop so they can see the tire wear and test drive it first. We'll tell them about the popping noise and get their opinion. If they don't do the sort of work that might be involved in diagnosing and fixing that, we'll ask for their recommendation on a place to take it.
3) We'll get the tires. And take the car to either the alignment shop or the recommended mechanic to have the popping noise properly diagnosed and repaired, and aligned.
4) We'll check maintenance records about the plugs/wires and ask a 2nd opinion if we still think it's necessary.
I welcome input as to whether we're still on the wrong track with our new plans. It's not usual that we have this kind of money to devote all at once to car maintenance. We need to make sure we keep this van on the road.
But we figured it was time for some general maintenance, and a repair. We have been hearing a POP noise when we go down an incline like a short, steep driveway. Primarily from the right. My husband thinks he's hearing it on the left now, too. I haven't heard that but definitely have the one on the right. Neither of us are car experts, but we figured ball joints or something similar. (My husband is that most dangerous of people, someone who knows "a little" about cars. He's getting better at admitting he really doesn't know all THAT much about them, really. ;D )
We've also got a bit of a wobbly, shaky ride. We put used but great condition tires on the front prior to the winter. Now, they are quite worn on the outside edges. My husband thinks they look canted to him and thinks we need an alignment. (I don't have the car here to tell you if the tires are more worn on inside, outside or evenly on both, but I think the inside was worn more.)
I took the van to a mechanic yesterday that came highly recommended. I trusted this guy and honestly, still don't think he was in any way trying to cheat me. However, this is what I asked him to do:
Check and top off trans fluid. Flush and fill radiator. Check AC but DO NOT RECHARGE until I know what everything else would cost in case we couldn't afford it after everything else. Change plugs and wires. Diagnose popping noise and do repair. Do an alignment.
The ONE thing I neglected to tell him was about the wobbly drive.
He was instructed to not do ANY repairs/tune-up/charging/etc until he called me with a report on what's causing the popping noise and what it would cost to fix it. We're under pretty tight funds and I needed to make sure the most important things were done and paid for leaving the rest for when we had more money.
I sat in the library all day while waiting to hear from him. Hours went by and I still hadn't, so I called him. He said he couldn't find what's causing the popping noise. Said that it might be something up in the struts, but he didn't think it was something like ball joints, etc. (I forget the exact wording he used, but it was akin to that). He said he'd keep looking, but that he thought the car was in excellent condition and safe to drive. Said he'd call back in an hour.
Well more than an hour went by. At least 2 or more. I called him again. He said he still can't find a problem causing a popping. He also said that we have platinum plugs and wires and that they don't need replacing. When I expressed some surprise and doubt about that, he said if I insist, he can replace them and charge us but that we don't need to.
In retrospect, the previous owner had this under warranty and had it serviced quite often - I wouldn't doubt he put top of the line plugs and wires in it. But my husband insists it's not running as smoothly as it did 2 years ago. He does the oil changes himself, most often well before the automatic "change oil" alert says we need to. And we think we could be getting slightly better gas mileage (we got 25 mpg when we drove it to Minnesota 2 years ago, and now get around 22.3 tops). I don't have them on hand right now, but I'll be double-checking the repair/maintenance records the previous owner supplied to see if there's note of what kind of plugs/wires he had put in.
In any case, the mechanic said he did the fluids and AC, which pissed me off a bit because the popping noise had not been fully diagnosed and I didn't want to put any money into something as unimportant as AC when still faced with possibly pricey repairs, and had VERY plainly told him so when I dropped the car off. I let that go and asked about the alignment. He said, "you want an alignment?" as if I'd never mentioned it (and saw him write it down). I did say I was not sure if an alignment should be done in case whatever's causing the popping noise would cause the car to quickly go out of alignment again. But that the car has a wobbly ride. He had not test driven it himself (had another guy do it) and didn't know about the wobbly ride. I said yes, it's quite obvious when driven, and that the tires are wearing unevenly, too. I told him I had to talk to my husband before he did anything else.
I talked to my husband. At this point, he was pissed and didn't want this guy doing anything else to it. So I called the guy back. He was out test driving the van, so I told the person on the phone to have him call me as soon as he got back.
Over a half hour went by. I called back. He answered the phone. He had been "messing with another car" and didn't call me. At this point, it was getting VERY late in the day and I needed the car back so I could pick up my husband from work. He said he felt the wobbly drive but blamed it on the condition of the tires. I don't doubt that is a big part of the problem at this point. However, the tires wore very quickly and both my husband and I think it's due to a misalignment.
I had a lot of trouble being confrontational with this guy because 1) I don't think he was intentionally blowing off my concerns 2) I trust that he wasn't trying to rip me off 3) I needed him to pick me up from the library and take me back to the shop to get my car, so I was facing a very uncomfortable ride if I at all got testy about things like him charging the AC, etc.
My husband and I are also willing to admit that we're not used to owning a vehicle that needs relatively little service. We're used to having lots of things go wrong with our cars (the 1999 Chevy S-10 was a particular nightmare of dysfunction), and having to dump a lot of work and time into them. We're willing to admit maybe we're not used to being told "the car is fine, it doesn't need pricey repairs done."
At this point, my husband and I agree on a course of action:
1) We're going to get 4 new (used) tires put on the car. We have a total of $1150 we're prepared to put into the car (after the $150 we paid this guy yesterday), and have a reliable tire shop with a set of nearly new tires for about $200 we're going to pursue.
2) Before we do that, we're going to take the car, with the current tires intact, to an already highly recommended alignment shop so they can see the tire wear and test drive it first. We'll tell them about the popping noise and get their opinion. If they don't do the sort of work that might be involved in diagnosing and fixing that, we'll ask for their recommendation on a place to take it.
3) We'll get the tires. And take the car to either the alignment shop or the recommended mechanic to have the popping noise properly diagnosed and repaired, and aligned.
4) We'll check maintenance records about the plugs/wires and ask a 2nd opinion if we still think it's necessary.
I welcome input as to whether we're still on the wrong track with our new plans. It's not usual that we have this kind of money to devote all at once to car maintenance. We need to make sure we keep this van on the road.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Redesigned Civic battles some tough new rivals
Nine vehicle generations. One in four people who buy a Honda buys a Civic.
The Civic's grip on the compact segment has been strong and steady. But now, as a redesigned car goes on sale, it faces a far tougher array of competitors.
The reworked 2012 Civic, which goes on sale this month, is critical for another reason: It is the first of Honda's three core vehicles receiving a redesign during the next 18 months. The CR-V compact crossover is scheduled for September, and a reworked Accord comes in summer 2012.
With every redesign, the Civic has grown substantially -- to the point that a current Civic is nearly as large as a 1994 Accord.
But just before r&d work for the redesigned 2012 Civic was ready for sign-off, the global economy collapsed. Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito ordered a quick rethinking of the Civic's mission.
The Civic was to have become larger and have more upscale features. But Ito felt that such a car would struggle in the conservative shopping climate and would stray from the Civic's message of economy.
"This is a carefully packaged car," John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president, said at the press preview here. "It's about understanding the needs of the segment."
At 39 mpg, the base Civic just misses the new magic mark of 40 mpg in highway driving -- something the Hyundai Elantra achieves across all trim levels -- although some Civic models do exceed that number.
Vicki Poponi, Honda assistant vice president of product planning, says fuel economy is just one piece of the puzzle. "One mile per gallon isn't going to make a difference," Poponi said. "The customer doesn't care about it that much. It's not as single-dimensional as that."
But merely building a better Civic may not be enough. The compact segment is awash in new interpretations of value, technology and styling.
"When Civic last launched [in fall 2005], the competitive set was much weaker," said Lincoln Merrihew, managing director of Compete Automotive in Boston.
"Today, Civic faces a truly brand-new Ford Focus, which has a technology and hipness factor," he said. "The Hyundai Elantra has 'wow' styling, the VW Jetta is bigger and less expensive, and the Kia Forte is 'mini muscle.' High mpg is obviously no longer just Honda's domain."
Compete's examination of consumer shopping behavior in the compact segment shows interest in the Civic tailing off toward the end of this model cycle, as would be expected. But interest in the Elantra, Focus and Chevrolet Cruze have surged to attract shoppers and threaten the Civic, Merrihew noted.
Honda dealer Forrest McConnell III of Montgomery, Ala., calls the Civic "our mainstay. If you buy a Civic, it's a sure bet."
Still, McConnell's dealership is in the shadow of the Hyundai manufacturing plant, and he admits to seeing more Korean sheet metal around town.
The Civic will have "the most comprehensive and integrated campaign in Honda's history," said American Honda's chief marketing officer, Steve Center, declining to assign a dollar value to the advertising budget.
Using the tag line "To Each His Own," Honda is going to push the message of efficiency alongside its longtime serenade of quality, reliability and value, Center said.
Honda also will be active online on Facebook, YouTube and MSN.com. There will be a nationwide scavenger hunt with prize money going to charities. The Civic will be connected with the "Austin City Limits" live music TV show.
Honda also will conduct a contest in which people can submit songs online about why they desire a Civic, with first prize being a new Civic.
With new-car sales still in recovery mode, Honda estimates it will sell about 260,000 Civics a year. But should the market rebound, and fuel prices continue rising, the 2008 high of 339,289 Civics should be attainable, Mendel said.
"I think it can hit those numbers again," he said. "We are seeing small cars coming back, and we don't have to offset full-sized pickup sales. We can concentrate on Civic."
The Civic's grip on the compact segment has been strong and steady. But now, as a redesigned car goes on sale, it faces a far tougher array of competitors.
The reworked 2012 Civic, which goes on sale this month, is critical for another reason: It is the first of Honda's three core vehicles receiving a redesign during the next 18 months. The CR-V compact crossover is scheduled for September, and a reworked Accord comes in summer 2012.
With every redesign, the Civic has grown substantially -- to the point that a current Civic is nearly as large as a 1994 Accord.
But just before r&d work for the redesigned 2012 Civic was ready for sign-off, the global economy collapsed. Honda Motor CEO Takanobu Ito ordered a quick rethinking of the Civic's mission.
The Civic was to have become larger and have more upscale features. But Ito felt that such a car would struggle in the conservative shopping climate and would stray from the Civic's message of economy.
"This is a carefully packaged car," John Mendel, American Honda executive vice president, said at the press preview here. "It's about understanding the needs of the segment."
At 39 mpg, the base Civic just misses the new magic mark of 40 mpg in highway driving -- something the Hyundai Elantra achieves across all trim levels -- although some Civic models do exceed that number.
Vicki Poponi, Honda assistant vice president of product planning, says fuel economy is just one piece of the puzzle. "One mile per gallon isn't going to make a difference," Poponi said. "The customer doesn't care about it that much. It's not as single-dimensional as that."
But merely building a better Civic may not be enough. The compact segment is awash in new interpretations of value, technology and styling.
"When Civic last launched [in fall 2005], the competitive set was much weaker," said Lincoln Merrihew, managing director of Compete Automotive in Boston.
"Today, Civic faces a truly brand-new Ford Focus, which has a technology and hipness factor," he said. "The Hyundai Elantra has 'wow' styling, the VW Jetta is bigger and less expensive, and the Kia Forte is 'mini muscle.' High mpg is obviously no longer just Honda's domain."
Compete's examination of consumer shopping behavior in the compact segment shows interest in the Civic tailing off toward the end of this model cycle, as would be expected. But interest in the Elantra, Focus and Chevrolet Cruze have surged to attract shoppers and threaten the Civic, Merrihew noted.
Honda dealer Forrest McConnell III of Montgomery, Ala., calls the Civic "our mainstay. If you buy a Civic, it's a sure bet."
Still, McConnell's dealership is in the shadow of the Hyundai manufacturing plant, and he admits to seeing more Korean sheet metal around town.
The Civic will have "the most comprehensive and integrated campaign in Honda's history," said American Honda's chief marketing officer, Steve Center, declining to assign a dollar value to the advertising budget.
Using the tag line "To Each His Own," Honda is going to push the message of efficiency alongside its longtime serenade of quality, reliability and value, Center said.
Honda also will be active online on Facebook, YouTube and MSN.com. There will be a nationwide scavenger hunt with prize money going to charities. The Civic will be connected with the "Austin City Limits" live music TV show.
Honda also will conduct a contest in which people can submit songs online about why they desire a Civic, with first prize being a new Civic.
With new-car sales still in recovery mode, Honda estimates it will sell about 260,000 Civics a year. But should the market rebound, and fuel prices continue rising, the 2008 high of 339,289 Civics should be attainable, Mendel said.
"I think it can hit those numbers again," he said. "We are seeing small cars coming back, and we don't have to offset full-sized pickup sales. We can concentrate on Civic."
Sunday, April 24, 2011
GM to raise U.S. vehicle prices 0.4% as raw-material costs rise
Here we go again, in a time that dealers are just starting to get back on there feet the manufacturer is going to reach into there pockets and the consumers and raise the prices. Lets see, sales are finally starting to come back so lets raise the price and slow the buying down... Do these Execs even think before acting????
DETROIT -- General Motors Co. plans to raise prices on most of its vehicles starting next month in response to escalating raw-materials costs.
Today, GM notified its 4,500 U.S. dealers that the increases will average $123, or 0.4 percent, starting May 2.
"The increase is a response to the continued rise in materials costs, which has been driven by an increase in commodity prices," GM spokesman Tom Henderson said.
The price increases will be widespread across Chevrolet's portfolio, according to the notice sent to Chevy dealers today. The memo said prices are slated to rise on the Camaro and Corvette sports cars, the Malibu and Impala sedans, the Avalanche truck, the Traverse crossover and the light-duty Silverado and Colorado pickups.
The memo did not mention the Equinox crossover or the Cruze compact, two of Chevy's hottest-selling vehicles.
GM's move echoes a boost by rival Ford Motor Co. On April 1, Ford lifted its prices on 2011 models an average of $117, or 0.4 percent.
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., coping with a rising yen and an earthquake-shattered supply chain, is also raising prices an average 1.7 percent on many 2011 Toyota, Scion and Lexus models, starting next month.
Henderson cited rising oil prices as a factor but declined to say which materials are raising GM's costs the most. He also declined to say which vehicles would see price increases, citing competitive reasons.
As of the end of March, GM had a U.S. inventory of 574,000 vehicles, or about a 75-day supply. Henderson said the price increase was unrelated to parts shortages from Japan, which have crimped production at Japanese automakers and some Detroit 3 operations.
DETROIT -- General Motors Co. plans to raise prices on most of its vehicles starting next month in response to escalating raw-materials costs.
Today, GM notified its 4,500 U.S. dealers that the increases will average $123, or 0.4 percent, starting May 2.
"The increase is a response to the continued rise in materials costs, which has been driven by an increase in commodity prices," GM spokesman Tom Henderson said.
The price increases will be widespread across Chevrolet's portfolio, according to the notice sent to Chevy dealers today. The memo said prices are slated to rise on the Camaro and Corvette sports cars, the Malibu and Impala sedans, the Avalanche truck, the Traverse crossover and the light-duty Silverado and Colorado pickups.
The memo did not mention the Equinox crossover or the Cruze compact, two of Chevy's hottest-selling vehicles.
GM's move echoes a boost by rival Ford Motor Co. On April 1, Ford lifted its prices on 2011 models an average of $117, or 0.4 percent.
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., coping with a rising yen and an earthquake-shattered supply chain, is also raising prices an average 1.7 percent on many 2011 Toyota, Scion and Lexus models, starting next month.
Henderson cited rising oil prices as a factor but declined to say which materials are raising GM's costs the most. He also declined to say which vehicles would see price increases, citing competitive reasons.
As of the end of March, GM had a U.S. inventory of 574,000 vehicles, or about a 75-day supply. Henderson said the price increase was unrelated to parts shortages from Japan, which have crimped production at Japanese automakers and some Detroit 3 operations.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Chevy: Eco version of Malibu targets 38 mpg on highway
General Motors today unveiled an Eco version of the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu that the automaker says will get an estimated 38 mpg on the highway, a level reached by many conventional hybrids.
The Malibu Eco will have GM's eAssist technology, a start-stop system to be introduced this year in the Buick LaCrosse and Regal sedans.
The redesigned Malibu, which goes on sale early next year as a 2013 model, will be the first Chevrolet to get the fuel-saving technology.
Mark Reuss, GM's North American president, said the relatively inexpensive technology gives buyers an affordable option to significantly boost fuel economy without having to buy a conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid such as the Chevrolet Volt.
"Not everyone can afford those. We know that," Reuss told reporters today after unveiling the Eco version of the next-generation Malibu at the New York auto show.
The new mid-sized sedan was unveiled Monday at the Shanghai auto show.
"The customer base finds cars like this very attractive because they pay for themselves," Reuss said.
He said it will be the most fuel-efficient mid-sized car Chevrolet has ever made. Prices for the 2013 Malibu won't be announced until closer to its launch. GM estimates the Eco version will get 38 mpg highway/26 mpg city.
Reuss said the Malibu Eco will beat many conventional hybrids, including the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid, based on GM's mpg estimates. An official EPA rating hasn't been assigned.
Sometimes called a "mild hybrid, the eAssist system uses power stored in a lithium ion battery and an electric motor generator to give a boost to the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine when the car accelerates.
A start-stop feature also saves fuel when the vehicle stops, while regenerative braking transfers electricity to the battery.
The Malibu Eco will have GM's eAssist technology, a start-stop system to be introduced this year in the Buick LaCrosse and Regal sedans.
The redesigned Malibu, which goes on sale early next year as a 2013 model, will be the first Chevrolet to get the fuel-saving technology.
Mark Reuss, GM's North American president, said the relatively inexpensive technology gives buyers an affordable option to significantly boost fuel economy without having to buy a conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid such as the Chevrolet Volt.
"Not everyone can afford those. We know that," Reuss told reporters today after unveiling the Eco version of the next-generation Malibu at the New York auto show.
The new mid-sized sedan was unveiled Monday at the Shanghai auto show.
"The customer base finds cars like this very attractive because they pay for themselves," Reuss said.
He said it will be the most fuel-efficient mid-sized car Chevrolet has ever made. Prices for the 2013 Malibu won't be announced until closer to its launch. GM estimates the Eco version will get 38 mpg highway/26 mpg city.
Reuss said the Malibu Eco will beat many conventional hybrids, including the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid, based on GM's mpg estimates. An official EPA rating hasn't been assigned.
Sometimes called a "mild hybrid, the eAssist system uses power stored in a lithium ion battery and an electric motor generator to give a boost to the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine when the car accelerates.
A start-stop feature also saves fuel when the vehicle stops, while regenerative braking transfers electricity to the battery.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Ford missing market-share goal adds pressure to boost discounts
DETROIT (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co., after increasing its share of the U.S. light-vehicle market for the last two years, is falling short of its retail goal this year, which may put pressure on the automaker to offer larger discounts.
Ford in the first quarter had 13.6 percent of the U.S. retail auto market, which excludes sales to fleet buyers, according to researcher Edmunds.com. That trailed the 14.1 percent target Ford's board set for executives to match or exceed this year, according to the automaker's government filings.
Ford's share slipped as General Motors Co. increased sales incentives 11 percent in the first three months of the year, according to Autodata Corp. Ford, which reduced discounts by 9.1 percent in the first quarter, saw its total U.S. market share fall to 16.2 percent from 16.8 percent a year earlier, Autodata said.
"We believe Ford's management could be forced to become more aggressive with incentives to avoid additional market share loss," Joseph Amaturo, an analyst with the Buckingham Research Group who rates Ford "neutral," said in an April 12 research note. "We are increasingly concerned about net-price erosion."
CEO Alan Mulally, who has emphasized profits over market share, said Ford will maintain pricing discipline.
"The most important thing about our plan is profitable growth, so that leads us to tremendous discipline on everything about the business," Mulally told reporters April 13 in Detroit. "The No. 1 thing is to match the production capacity to the real demand."
Americas share
Ford, which earned $6.56 billion last year, failed to achieve its market share targets globally and in the Americas, according to its proxy statement filed this month. Ford achieved 44 percent of its corporate market-share goal and 58 percent of its target for the Americas, the proxy said.
Ford has said its market share in Europe fell to 7.6 percent last year from 8.9 percent in 2009 as it resisted matching competitors' discounts. The automaker said its retail market share in the U.S. last year was 14.1 percent, trailing the board's 14.2 percent target.
Mulally said Ford will continue to avoid the heavy, profit- eroding discounts that U.S. automakers used in the past to keep factories running.
"We will always be very disciplined about our production and our pricing and have the pricing reflect the real demand and inherent value of the product," he said.
Retail target
Ford hasn't met its retail market-share target in any month since October, when it sold 14.5 percent of the cars and trucks purchased by individual consumers, according to automotive researcher R.L. Polk & Co. Ford's retail share fell to 13.2 percent in February, the most recent month Polk has analyzed.
In March, Ford raised incentives and surpassed GM in monthly U.S. sales for the second time in the last 13 years, said Michelle Krebs, an analyst for Edmunds.
"GM's retail share was higher than Ford's in March, despite Ford beating GM in total," Krebs said. "Not good if Ford resorts to incentives as well as high fleet percentages again -- old habits."
Ford should continue to put a priority on profits over market share, said Brian Johnson, an analyst for Barclays Capital.
Incentives 'crutch'
"Anyone would like to improve market share; the question is how do you go about doing that without resting on the easy crutch of incentives," said Johnson. "They were well ahead of plan on profit, cash flow, pricing and cost reduction, even if market share was a bit low."
Ford's total U.S. market share rose to 16.7 percent last year from 14.4 percent in 2008, according to Autodata, as new models such as the Fusion sedan and Fiesta subcompact attracted buyers. Ford's share gains in 2009 and 2010 represented the first consecutive annual improvements since 1992 to 1993, the company said.
Ford also gained consideration from car buyers when it avoided the bankruptcies and government bailouts that beset the predecessors of GM and Chrysler Group LLC in 2009.
Ford's board used market-share targets for 8.33 percent of its formula for determining cash bonus and performance stock grants for top executives. The board's compensation committee said U.S. retail share is "the best measurement" of consumer acceptance.
Compensation formula
Global profits before taxes accounted for 30 percent and automotive operating cash flow accounted for another 30 percent, according to the proxy. Business unit profit before taxes accounted for 15 percent of the formula, while cost performance and quality each represented 8.33 percent.
Ford executives' performance exceeded every target except market share, according to the filing.
Compensation for Ford's five top-paid executives rose 64 percent to $75.9 million last year from $46.4 million in 2009, according to the proxy. That included incentive bonus awards paid at 180 percent of the target on the corporate level and 181 percent for the Americas region.
The board's compensation committee wrote that it "considered our outstanding 2010 performance-to-metrics and our execution of our One Ford Plan as the primary reasons for paying out the award to the full extent that they were earned."
Mulally pay
Mulally's 2010 compensation rose 48 percent to $26.5 million, including salary, bonus, stock, option awards and other pay. Ford last month also gave Mulally $56.5 million in stock for the turnaround since he joined the automaker from Boeing Co. in 2006.
He halted three years of losses and led Ford to $9.28 billion in net income in the last two years.
"I am very pleased that we continue to align the compensation with the business performance of Ford," Mulally said April 13 when asked about criticism of his pay package by the UAW. "This is the way it should be."
Ford in the first quarter had 13.6 percent of the U.S. retail auto market, which excludes sales to fleet buyers, according to researcher Edmunds.com. That trailed the 14.1 percent target Ford's board set for executives to match or exceed this year, according to the automaker's government filings.
Ford's share slipped as General Motors Co. increased sales incentives 11 percent in the first three months of the year, according to Autodata Corp. Ford, which reduced discounts by 9.1 percent in the first quarter, saw its total U.S. market share fall to 16.2 percent from 16.8 percent a year earlier, Autodata said.
"We believe Ford's management could be forced to become more aggressive with incentives to avoid additional market share loss," Joseph Amaturo, an analyst with the Buckingham Research Group who rates Ford "neutral," said in an April 12 research note. "We are increasingly concerned about net-price erosion."
CEO Alan Mulally, who has emphasized profits over market share, said Ford will maintain pricing discipline.
"The most important thing about our plan is profitable growth, so that leads us to tremendous discipline on everything about the business," Mulally told reporters April 13 in Detroit. "The No. 1 thing is to match the production capacity to the real demand."
Americas share
Ford, which earned $6.56 billion last year, failed to achieve its market share targets globally and in the Americas, according to its proxy statement filed this month. Ford achieved 44 percent of its corporate market-share goal and 58 percent of its target for the Americas, the proxy said.
Ford has said its market share in Europe fell to 7.6 percent last year from 8.9 percent in 2009 as it resisted matching competitors' discounts. The automaker said its retail market share in the U.S. last year was 14.1 percent, trailing the board's 14.2 percent target.
Mulally said Ford will continue to avoid the heavy, profit- eroding discounts that U.S. automakers used in the past to keep factories running.
"We will always be very disciplined about our production and our pricing and have the pricing reflect the real demand and inherent value of the product," he said.
Retail target
Ford hasn't met its retail market-share target in any month since October, when it sold 14.5 percent of the cars and trucks purchased by individual consumers, according to automotive researcher R.L. Polk & Co. Ford's retail share fell to 13.2 percent in February, the most recent month Polk has analyzed.
In March, Ford raised incentives and surpassed GM in monthly U.S. sales for the second time in the last 13 years, said Michelle Krebs, an analyst for Edmunds.
"GM's retail share was higher than Ford's in March, despite Ford beating GM in total," Krebs said. "Not good if Ford resorts to incentives as well as high fleet percentages again -- old habits."
Ford should continue to put a priority on profits over market share, said Brian Johnson, an analyst for Barclays Capital.
Incentives 'crutch'
"Anyone would like to improve market share; the question is how do you go about doing that without resting on the easy crutch of incentives," said Johnson. "They were well ahead of plan on profit, cash flow, pricing and cost reduction, even if market share was a bit low."
Ford's total U.S. market share rose to 16.7 percent last year from 14.4 percent in 2008, according to Autodata, as new models such as the Fusion sedan and Fiesta subcompact attracted buyers. Ford's share gains in 2009 and 2010 represented the first consecutive annual improvements since 1992 to 1993, the company said.
Ford also gained consideration from car buyers when it avoided the bankruptcies and government bailouts that beset the predecessors of GM and Chrysler Group LLC in 2009.
Ford's board used market-share targets for 8.33 percent of its formula for determining cash bonus and performance stock grants for top executives. The board's compensation committee said U.S. retail share is "the best measurement" of consumer acceptance.
Compensation formula
Global profits before taxes accounted for 30 percent and automotive operating cash flow accounted for another 30 percent, according to the proxy. Business unit profit before taxes accounted for 15 percent of the formula, while cost performance and quality each represented 8.33 percent.
Ford executives' performance exceeded every target except market share, according to the filing.
Compensation for Ford's five top-paid executives rose 64 percent to $75.9 million last year from $46.4 million in 2009, according to the proxy. That included incentive bonus awards paid at 180 percent of the target on the corporate level and 181 percent for the Americas region.
The board's compensation committee wrote that it "considered our outstanding 2010 performance-to-metrics and our execution of our One Ford Plan as the primary reasons for paying out the award to the full extent that they were earned."
Mulally pay
Mulally's 2010 compensation rose 48 percent to $26.5 million, including salary, bonus, stock, option awards and other pay. Ford last month also gave Mulally $56.5 million in stock for the turnaround since he joined the automaker from Boeing Co. in 2006.
He halted three years of losses and led Ford to $9.28 billion in net income in the last two years.
"I am very pleased that we continue to align the compensation with the business performance of Ford," Mulally said April 13 when asked about criticism of his pay package by the UAW. "This is the way it should be."
Friday, April 15, 2011
12004 Ford Mustang Electrical Problem with Dash Cluster
mustang with 3.8L V-6 engine has a dash cluster electrical problem that is happening randomly. The cluster loses power at times off/on while the engine is running. The instrument cluster gauges all go to the off positions, including the speedometer as well. Previously only the battery light was flashing on/off randomly and thought it was just faulty. Now this problem has arose. We don't know if the engine light ever came on during the instrument dash gauge power loss. Do you think there may now be a stored computer code to help identify this gremlin? Otherwise is there a relay or circuit breaker that may be the cause? How do you track this down to repair and will it damage anything if it continues? So far the engine is starting and running normally.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
tapping noise from top of engine After timing belt was replaced
Hi- I need help! DESPERATELY! I own a 2001 Kia sportage- base model- 2.0L- 4 cyl- DOHC engine. about 98k miles on it and some what mechanically inclined.
Purchased it used- Changed the oil- replaced the thermostat. I was driving and the engine stopped- NO noise when it stopped and I figured it was the timing belt- had it towed to a local garage. There was about 4 -6 teeth missing. They replaced the belt and said it started right up- nice and quiet- ran for a little bit(no clue how long they ran it) BUT… I go to pick it up and starts up- but I notice alittle tapping noise- I go in- ask the shop- they said she was quiet- ok- maybe it was because it was cold. I drove to the bank(aprox 10 miles) the noise got LOUDER- you could hear the belt slipping or spinning… my poor little kia sounds like a “generator or sewing machine”. People look @ me like I have NO oil in it. The oil and temp is fine- I took it back to the shop and they said the timing is “FINE”- they took off the head- there is enough “clearance” and Nothing is touching- they are stumped(not great mechanics- but NOW I find out..ughh). What could cause the engine NOW after running quiet to sound like this? Is this an interference engine? did I do damage to it? OH- they did tell me- when they turn the crank shaft by hand- you can hear the noise!? HELP! I live in the country and a single mom with little $$$ and an active son in sports and scouts- I NEED MY CAR:( and really like the gas mileage… HELP- almost 2 wks with NO car!!!
Response:
Yes, this is an interference engine. The most common cause of this noise after a broken timing belt would be bent valves. A simple compression test on each cylinder should be able to determine which cylinder/s have the bent valve/s. Onec the located, simply replacing the valves should correct the issue and remove the noise.
Purchased it used- Changed the oil- replaced the thermostat. I was driving and the engine stopped- NO noise when it stopped and I figured it was the timing belt- had it towed to a local garage. There was about 4 -6 teeth missing. They replaced the belt and said it started right up- nice and quiet- ran for a little bit(no clue how long they ran it) BUT… I go to pick it up and starts up- but I notice alittle tapping noise- I go in- ask the shop- they said she was quiet- ok- maybe it was because it was cold. I drove to the bank(aprox 10 miles) the noise got LOUDER- you could hear the belt slipping or spinning… my poor little kia sounds like a “generator or sewing machine”. People look @ me like I have NO oil in it. The oil and temp is fine- I took it back to the shop and they said the timing is “FINE”- they took off the head- there is enough “clearance” and Nothing is touching- they are stumped(not great mechanics- but NOW I find out..ughh). What could cause the engine NOW after running quiet to sound like this? Is this an interference engine? did I do damage to it? OH- they did tell me- when they turn the crank shaft by hand- you can hear the noise!? HELP! I live in the country and a single mom with little $$$ and an active son in sports and scouts- I NEED MY CAR:( and really like the gas mileage… HELP- almost 2 wks with NO car!!!
Response:
Yes, this is an interference engine. The most common cause of this noise after a broken timing belt would be bent valves. A simple compression test on each cylinder should be able to determine which cylinder/s have the bent valve/s. Onec the located, simply replacing the valves should correct the issue and remove the noise.
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