Archive for February, 2009
as recession deletes sales address
Another classic Kipper Williams
If I’m to continue with this blog, I must learn to create more imaginative headlines! I’ve also come to realise that a blog is like cutting the grass - it’s a chore that you know you must do, that needs to be done all to frequently and is harder than it looks!
Anyway, enough about the labours of blogging….at least I’m not Twittering (yet)! Kipper Williams of the Guardian fame has drawn another classic that I had to pass on. As you may or may not know, TomTom, the satelite navigation maker, has reported massive falls in sales due to the slump in car and van sales - not surprising. Kipper sums it up in his usual style.
Tags: Recession, TomTom
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Motor Industry must reinvent the wheel
The Wheel - such an old design???
Whilst no one anticipated the global economic crisis and the devastating impact this would have, I find myself asking; Why are we so surprised by the woes of the car makers of the world?
General Motors is on the brink of collapse. They’ve let Saab file for bankruptcy protection and Opel are looking for new owners / investors. But why are we surprised? Saab hasn’t returned a profit in over a decade of GM ownership! GM’s American factories are weighed down by the political burden of the unions and thus their operating costs are high. Moreover, these same factories work to archaic practices or, at best, are half way to imitating their Japanese counterparts.
Tags: car, Citroen, General Motors, Opel & Vauxhall, Peugeot, Renault, Saab, Toyota
Posted in Blog | 1 Comment »
Ford plans to cut 850 jobs
Vansdirect.co.uk yesterday reported Ford’s plans to cut 850 jobs in the UK - over 50% of those to be at the Southampton plant which makes the Ford Transit van (click here for the article).
The current economic climate is certainly taking its toll and one shouldn’t jest - even though Gordon Brown’s superhero antics can lend itself to parody and ridicule (just ask President Sarkozy). However, even in the darkest of places you will generally find a glimmer of light - this cartoon by Kipper Williams (Guardian, 6 February 2009) is a humorous take on yesterday’s announcement and Ford’s traditional values. If only the $5 day was still alive and kicking - perhaps the Big 3 wouldn’t be in this mess.
Tags: Ford, Vansdirect
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Commercial Sense
I make no apologies for my blog utilising the wonderful library that is the You Tube. After all, how else would I bring you some of the best van adverts ever made? I can hardly be expected to contact Ford, Renault, Volkswagen etc etc directly can I? Ok, perhaps You Tube is a lazy-man’s tool, but it works!
Anyway…… This week Vansdirect landed some great deals on the Volkswagen Caddy, Transporter and the VW Crafter. I’m not going to discuss their qualities or why you should buy one on this site. If you want those kind of details visit www.vansdirect.co.uk. However, I am going to show you a Volkswagen commercial that transcends time and language - the van barely features, but the message is clear.
Tags: Caddy, Crafter, Ford, Funny, Renault, Transporter, TV Advert, Volkswagen, VW
Posted in Blog, Viral | No Comments »
Number plate sale sets new record
Why?
I drive an average car - in every sense. I’ve simply never been one for the luxury options offered by a dealer or indeed the luxury brands themselves. OK, so a Toyota has all the glamour of Carol Thatcher’s use of racial terminology - but it’s a car that works and it’s the “car in front”.
Despite my shortcomings as a car owner, I can still understand other peoples’ fascination of the luxury brands, the super cars and the gadgets. After all, you only have to watch 007 in his Aston Martin to see how cool you could be.
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