Smoke and Mirrors

It sure looks that way, doesn't it?

It's a lot easier to blame people who don't look like you do than to put blame where it really should go.

 

I'd post that "You Win THE PRIZE" pic. but the mods didn't like it too much...

 

nice and vague - and it doesn't answer the question "what do you do?"

"in business in the Midwest" is the employment description of the majority of people in the midwest.

 

Sigh. Well that's a different issue completely. People who get elected on either side are usually not willing to make the radical and unpopular changes that will have an effect. They talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.

The status quo is king more than anything else on Capitol Hill.

 

:lol:

See, I do have a sense of humor.

 

Most (if not all) of the people here use their Prius as their primary mode of transportation... some of us have SUVs parked in our garages for use in the rare occassion when we need the extra room, or need to go offroad.

If you want, send those people our way and we will change their minds about using their Priuses. Such a car should not be garaged.

It's been good discussing things with you and it makes more sense now.

 

I'll be darned

At least I was partly right from my earlier post. It just appeared that your passion for domestic models (GM in particular) was stronger than the average driver.

 

[Broken External Image]:http://www.funny-games.biz/pictures/owned/needle.jpg

 

so now this all fits together and makes more sense.

And with your fear of any of the domestic automakers going belly-up, your business that has been in the family for generations, could also suffer. This I understand.

You've seen good cars come and go.

Though you may not agree or want to hear it, you may want to listen to your brother on this venture - it would at least lessen the impact in the event one of the Big-3 shuts down and provide continual job security.

 

I know of a lot of outfits that have merged until one ownership.

Coggin seems to have the lead here in Florida....

as far as the deaf, dumb, and blind bit....just for you my friend, I can't resist and have to throw one of them at you for good old times sake:

Deaf: for not listening for the signs, and also not listening to your customers needs.

Dumb (meaning not being able to speak): not telling your corporate bosses, if you are able, of those needs.

Blind: for not seeing it coming, blinded by passion.

Marlorn, those 3 were all in jest - whatever your decision, I'm sure it will be right for you and your family.

 

Everything above is a fact, except for your last point.

Explain this diversion? Toyota's real goal is to make people "think" they are a green company, so they can produce more gas guzzling vehicles and get people to buy them?

I think you miss the point - This is what GM and Ford want you to think. They would rather you think this then think that people like Toyota's better because they are built better and offer better reliability.

In 2000, when you had this meeting, Toyota was well on it's way with hybrids. They were already at least 3-4 years into producing them. Their involvement in other areas is simply good business sense. Should they just dump all their non-hybrid business??

Part of your problem is that you are way too biased to see clearly. I can see both sides. My family has always had a lot of cars. Both foreign and domestic. They actually never owned a Toyota. I myself have only owned domestic until my Prius. So my allegiance is probably more towards domestic makers at this point, yet I don't think anything Toyota is doing is "smoke and mirrors". If anything it's now GM that's using smoke and mirrors - They see that consumers really are willing to make sacrifices to better the environment and their pocket books. So they are finally getting the message and making a bigger hybrid push.

Why exactly did Ford stop making the Excursion?

Get that Toyota dealership going - I think you'll see how much better built they are. Being as biased as you are right now, you're unable to see this.

 

Fair enough. What car would that be ?

All I ask for is Toyota or Honda level quality in cars at least five years old, 55 MPG, SULEV or better emmisions, and equivalent features for the same price.

My car is a top-of-the-line Toyota '04 Prius, that cost $26K delivered.