ITS GENERAL MOTORS TURN TO BE THE LARGEST AUTOMAKER IN AMERICA

Written By: Jimmy Sesto

 In January Toyota was the largest automaker in America and February, Ford took over the ranks. March was GM's turn to take the title with Toyota finishing just 1700 cars behind for second and Ford just 3100 behind that for 3rd. The next and 4th in line company Honda didn't even come close to the top 3 with 75,000 cars behind Ford. Nissan and Chrysler round out the top 6. Toyota sales are up 41%, Ford 40% and GM up 24%, so it is clear the BIG THREE includes Toyota while dropping Chrysler from the group. Although Chrysler did drop 8% in sales and produces half the cars as the new BIG THREE but they are not as bad off as some might think. When Fiat purchased Chrysler last year first order of business was to trim the fat and by doing so they eliminated vehicles that were not money makers. Actually for the amount of vehicles that Chrysler dropped from their line, only dropping 8% in sales is pretty good. GM, Toyota and Ford all sold close to 200,000 vehicles each last month while turning a profit. Chrysler was desperately producing more cars than they could sell the last couple of years just to try to keep up. This past month they sold just over 90,000 vehicles which is less than before but being more effecient is putting Chrysler on track to be a profitable company. GM did get over 3000 vehicles counted from their brands that are soon being shut down such as Hummer, Saab, Pontiac and Saturn. Ford will soon have Volvo sold which accounted for over 5000 cars in March to Ford's over all numbers. So assuming everything else stayed the same then Toyota would be number 1 but it is still very close between all 3. Three months so far this year and the lead has been different every month which is good for everyone and nothing will stay the same.

He'sssss Back!

 Written by: Jimmy Sesto

     What a great weekend for Dale Jr as both of his Nationwide cars finished in the top 12 and that even includes Kelly Bires being wrecked by Kyle Busch. Dale Jr also announced that Danica's number 7 car will be on the track all season even though she is only racing a limited Nationwide schedule this year. Dale Jr himself did great in the Cup race as he started 18th and worked his way up to 6th when he was hit with a speeding on pit road penalty, sending him clear back to 28th with only a third of the race to go. Nevertheless he muscled his way back up to finish in the 7th position and is now in the 8th place spot in points for the first time in 48 races. So the "Jr Nation" does have something to be excited about again because as of now he is back in the top 12 and on track to make the "CHASE". After 5 races this year he has been dealt some pretty bad blows and has overcome them very well proving he can and will contend.

Good Luck Jr, go #88!

FORD IS THE BIGGEST AUTOMAKER IN AMERICA!

Written by: Jimmy Sesto

Ford is the largest automaker in America for the first time since 1998. Ford has dethroned the reigning champion, giving Toyota its first defeat since becoming #1. Ford sales for the month of February were up 43%  compared to last years numbers of the same month. While my heart lies with Ford I must give GM their due as well because their sales are up 12%  and they only lost out to Ford by a total of 334 vehicles. CLOSE ONE! Even Chrysler, who is thought to be months and months away from having positive numbers, posted a 1%  gain. Toyota sales on the other hand are down 9%  compared to last year of the same month. Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia have all posted positive gains, proving one thing, people are buying cars once again. Here is how they rank in America. 1.) Ford  2.) GM  3.) Toyota  4.) Chrysler  and while I would love to say the "Big Three" are back, I can not because Chrysler fell short but just like the singer "Meatloaf" says "Two out of three ain't bad". The question is Will it stand? My answer is "Does it ever?" The real point here is, not that Ford is first or GM is second or even that Toyota is third. The point is, everyone is doing great. I know Toyota is down 9%  but most thought they would be down by 20%  and here is the best part; Most experts believe that Detroit's gains are not from Toyota's problems but rather that Detroit is finally learning how to make and sell a car. The experts believe that Toyota's loss of sales is only because Toyota's consumers are waiting to buy when Toyota gets through the recall issue. So what does this all mean? It means Chrysler while on the right road is no threat now but it is a three horse race between Ford, GM, and Toyota. So I am proud to say that Ford and GM are here to play ball and Toyota though down this month will be contending next month and we as consumers all benefit from that. So do not be surprised to see a new Champion every few months because these three companies are in it to win it.

Ford Bronco Concept: Impressive!

Written by: Jimmy Sesto

A fellow Ford lover wrote an article about wanting to bring the Ford Bronco back, designed the same way as the 2005 Ford Bronco Concept. Below was my response.

I have to tell you Paul, when you said something about bringing back the Bronco, my first thought was "ARE YOU CRAZY?". I started working for Ford right after they dropped the Bronco for the Expedition. At the time it was an awesome move, to go from a big 2 door SUV to a huge 4 door SUV. Gas prices were barely over a dollar, and consumers at the time thought the bigger the better. Here we are 13 years later and what a turn of events for all auto makers. We have gone from big and thirsty to small and efficient. I hardly ever take notice of concept vehicles because less than 5% ever make it to market and when they do, it no longer looks like the concept model. Out of respect to you I decided to look at the Bronco Concept before I ran off at the mouth of how much of a bad idea that would be. As the Bronco Concept page opened I was in awe. It's nothing like I thought, in fact if Ford did make this thing Jeep would be hard pressed to sell another Wrangler. You said Bronco, I thought huge and 14 mpg. I saw the the photo's and now I think a vehicle of this size with the EcoBoost engine would surely get over 22 mpg. The vehicle looks bad ass and big fun but then again this is exactly why I never pay attention to concept vehicles because most likely we will never see it on the street.

Crash Test - "They Don't Make Them Like They Use To!"

Written by: Jimmy Sesto

If I hear one more time "they don't build cars like they use to" I am going to go crazy. Its always the same story, "I had a big 1975 whatever and after an accident the car would have hardly no damage." When I would show a customer the front crumple zones of a car they would always say the same thing. "How does that help?" Simple, hold out your arm and lock your elbow (frame), I would then hit their hand with some force and ask "where did you feel that impact?". Same answer every time, shoulder and chest. Now extend your arm while leaving a slight bend in the elbow (crumple zone). I hit their hand with the same force and watched their arm collapse. Where did you feel that I would ask. The same answer every time, "Only in the hand." Exactly, no crumple zones the impact is felt throughout the car, with crumple zones the front of the car takes a massive portion of the force. That is just one of many reasons why they don't build them like they use to.

FORD DO NOT DESTROY YOUR BEST VEHICLE

Written by: Jimmy Sesto

Everyone knows I bleed blue but allow me to speak out, where the "Big 3" keeps messing up. I have worked for all the Detroit companies and they all make the same mistake. They take a good seller and a desirable vehicle and they flood the market with fleet. The Dodge Charger; police car, Chevy Impala; police car and now the new bad ass Taurus SHO is going to be Ford's next police car. Please Ford do not make this awesome vehicle a car that you see everywhere. Keep the panther platform and build police cars that we the public can not buy. It totally brings down the vehicles's value and nobody wants to pay $38,000.00 on a car and see every policeman driving the same thing. Please reconsider, do not destroy the best vehicle you just came out with.

Ford The Ignoramus

Written by: Jimmy Sesto

Henry Ford is the father of building vehicles in mass quantity and the great grandfather of William Clay Ford Jr, Chairman of FMC. Mr. Ford who's education is far less in comparison to Bill but a smart man nevertheless, knew very little about history which oddly enough is what Bill Ford received his degree in. However, Mr. Ford was involved in a law suit with the Chicago Tribune and at some point the Tribune called Mr. Ford an ignoramus and his reply was "Prove it!". So the Tribune asked a series of high school level history questions that Mr. Ford got mostly wrong. Mr. Ford finally replied "I don't know the answers to those questions but I could find a man in 5 minutes who does". Exactly, even Bill Gates has said he is no smarter than anyone else he just knows a lot about what he does. Mr. Ford knew about cars and new how to run a business. In fact he helped his cousin start a business using the left over wood from his assembly line, "Kingsford Charcoal" proving once again his business smarts.

We Need No Money

Written by: Jimmy Sesto

The Blue Oval has never been so blue. I been there through thick and thin and I worked for all of the Big 3 and I always made it clear how I felt about Ford. I guess that's why I wasn't with GM very long. We always new Ford was the best but now it feels so good to see America catching on. The day Alan said to congress. No sir we do not need any money, we can survive for 2 more years under these horrible conditions, we are just here to help GM and Chrysler. That was the day I knew everything would change. Ford stock went from less than $1.50 a share to nearly $12.00 14 months later. I am proud of Ford and I am proud of Alan and William Clay. We just need to work on them damn Detroit Lions.