Writing With Absolutes – Why Master Writers Use Them
?Writing With Absolutes – Why Master Writers Use Them
Absolute Phrases will Make Your Writing Crackle.
Absolute phrases add a sense of action and simultaneity to the main idea in a clause or sentence. They are, without a doubt, the most effective tool that a writer has to depict scenes filled with details that create action and suspense. No other tool exists that is more efficacious.
Nothing enlivens a scene as well placed Absolutes.
Through the apprehension of details all human beings-but in particular, readers-filter whole scenes in order to grasp, evaluate, and pronounce judgments about actions, places, and thoughts.
What gives versatility and flexibility to the Absolute phrase is that it may be embedded just about anywhere in the clause or sentence (beginning, middle, or end). Absolute phrases supply the much needed details at the right time and the right place.
Observe-in the example below-how nouns and the present participle interact:
The trees seemed to advance-to close ranks-as if in menacing formation, branches flailing, trunks forming cavities resembling huge distorted mouths from which the most horrifying and ungodly screams seemed to issue, filling the swamp with a hellish cacophony (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 35, p210).
Branches flailing, trunks forming cavities, filling the swamp-are Absolute phrases. When nouns are combined with the present participle (verbs ending in -ing), the results are Absolute phrases.
Absolute phrases are also called Absolute Nominative, or simply Absolutes.
They-absolutes-highlight the immediacy of the action, causing it to unfold right in front of the readers’ eyes. But how can these bits of information-details which are so unrelated to the main idea, even illogical one might say-be so loosely tacked on?
Fortunately for writers, the English language allows for this type of non sequitur. It is a part of the language that not even grammarians such as Otto Jesperson and Henry W. Fowler, or linguists (including Noam Chomsky) have been able to explain with convincing adequacy; a conundrum as puzzling as ‘why do humans grow arms and not wings?’
Writers should be thankful for such aberrations of the English language, and take advantage of them.
In addition to the present participle form of the verb (tears
coursing down her cheeks), we may also use the past participle to form another variation of the Absolute: teeth
clenched, box cutter tightly
gripped in her hand.
Because many grammar and syntax textbooks begin the discussion of Absolute Phrases with convoluted definitions, regrettably many readers abandon the topic, never to revisit it again. So, let’s look at what Absolutes do, what they accomplish, and then at the end of the chapter we’ll attempt a working definition.
Forms of the Absolute
Although Absolute Phrases may be written in many ways, the following four usages are the most prevalent:
(1) Noun and the present participle: branches flailing.
(2) Noun and a past participle: teeth clenched.
(3) Noun and a prepositional phrase: a blade in her hand.
(4) Noun and an adjective or adverb: ears forward.
Absolutes: Group (1) – Noun + Present Participle
The thug saw him and hurried to the waiting Honda, which took off with a loud squeal, screeching and lurching forward, the engine revving up. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 3, p22).
Just then Morales opened his eyes only to see the old man’s harsh stare, his droopy eyelid twitching. (N. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 27, p145).
As you can see in the above example, the noun eyelid is qualified by ‘his droopy,’ implying that any qualifier may either antecede or follow the noun; yet, this fact doesn’t negate that the phrase is an Absolute Phrase formed by a Noun + Present Participle.
The bullet ripped the stick out of the huge man’s lips hitting the wall with a thud, Gil’s lips turning ashen, teeth chattering, and clicking like gag dentures. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 33, p193).
But just as he said this, the floor under the hand truck caved in, the smile fading off his face. (M. Guerrero Poison Pill, chapter 29, p162).
“”And Lord Julian, then?”" he asked, his eyes watching her, bright as sapphires in that copper-coloured face. (R. Sabatini, Captain Blood, chapter XXXI, p337).
He wore a black, short mid-riff tank top under his black leather jacket, his pale face glowing with unnatural light, thin lips twisting in an evil smile. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 15, p89).
Cowboy felt the frigid mud shifting and tugging downward at his feet, sucking and crushing around his waist and chest, large bubbles surfacing, gurgling and popping around him, filling his nostrils with the vilest putrid stench. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 29, p162).
He did things to me that I’d only read in books, and at the end of it, legs trembling, heart thudding, I laughed and he buried his face against my belly, laughing too. (Sue Grafton, ‘A’ is for Alibi, p177).
By now you should have noted how the
-ing participials cause the nouns to zoom in and become extremely visible.
As Joey and Lenox strode to their van, Cowboy felt eyes watching him, his rat-tail stiffening, and a chill running down his spine. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 18, p103).
Even though the narrator purports to be objective and camera-like in his observations, he manages to inject inner-state details that only an omniscient narrator could know. This technique empowers the writer to get inside the character’s mind, body, and even his central nervous system: “”a chill running down his spine.”"
We puttered past the barn, the diesel thumping, the trailer creaking, and turned south toward the lower forty, a tract next to Siler’s Creek. (John Grisham, A Painted House, p43).
Grisham, by his adroit use of two Absolutes (diesel thumping and trailer creaking), augments the acoustics of the passing scene. Had he chosen to simply say, “”We puttered past the barn, and turned south…”" the scene would have fallen dead on arrival.
Note how Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice uses the Absolute to objectify an otherwise internal sensation felt by a character:
Elizabeth made no answer, and walked on, her heart swelling with indignation.
And feel the chills Bram Stoker brings to the reader as he depicts count Dracula’s wrath:
As my eyes opened involuntarily I saw his strong hand grasp the slender neck of the fair woman and with giant’s power draw it back, the blue eyes transformed with fury, the white teeth champing with rage, and the fair cheeks blazing red with passion.
The Absolute “”the blue eyes transformed with fury,”" is discussed below, as it belongs to Group (2), since ‘transformed’ is a past participle rather than a present participle.
To conclude this section, see how Tolstoy uses this absolute construction in his War and Peace:
“”Do you or do you not know where that will is?”" insisted Prince Vasili, his cheeks twitching more than ever.
Pierre obediently sat down, his eyes asking if he were doing right.
The spot chosen for the duel was some eighty paces from the road, where the sleighs had been left in a small clearing in the pine forest covered with melting snow, the frost having begun to break during the last few days.
Absolutes: Group (2) – Noun + Past Participle
Less dramatic than the -ing Absolute is the past participle Absolute. While the former causes the action of the noun to unfold in front of the reader’s eyes, the latter conjures up an image of something that has already happened.
His head-piece was gone, his breastplate dinted, his right sleeve a rag hanging from his shoulder about a naked arm. (R. Sabatini, Captain Blood, chapter XXX, p331).
“”I’ll check with them, Joey, and then I’ll let you know. Where are you planning to bury them?”" he asked, his forehead wrinkled with curiosity. (M. Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 29, p159).
…he charged straight on howling with wild fury, arms flailing, and eyes closed. (M Guerrero, Poison Pill, chapter 36, p230).
In his mind he saw the picture of the boy that the police photographer had taken, his flesh eaten black by the flames. (Elizabeth George, In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner, p267).
His men stood, grinning, awaiting orders, the two prisoners now fast pinioned. (R. Sabatini, Captain Blood, chapter II, p16).
Here’s an example from a master story-teller:
Her friend, Pixie Dark, was backing away from the whole deal, small white hands clasped between her breasts, eyes wide. (Stephen King, Cell, chapter 2, p8).
Stephen King wrote a best seller book on writing; yet, nowhere will you find –in this famed book– a single word about Absolutes. Go figure.
Fuel Cells Motorcycles, Trucks, Tanks, ATVs and Fire Hazards from Heat Exchanges
?Fuel Cells Motorcycles, Trucks, Tanks, ATVs and Fire Hazards from Heat Exchanges
We have heard a whole lot of talk about fuel cells and of course it is a worthy endeavor. Portable generators, cars, transportation industry, Power generators, Ships, etc. can benefit. However in a mobile application such as a shuttle bus, car, truck, train, tractor, motor scooter or even a Segway air-cushioned platform mover, there is the problem of heat. The heat occurs on transfer of fuel. So if we are talking about a portable application the heat can make steam and the steam can be used for additional power needed also. In an off road application when we are in places of drought and extreme fire hard there is a significant problem which needs to be better addressed with the material sciences to control the heat. Everyone knows that 2-cycle motorcycles get hot and can cause fires if you are not careful.
The hydrogen cell problem with it’s temperatures could be significantly worse. In larger vehicles there have been ways to mitigate this, with additional insulation panels, however in a small off road vehicle or ATV, the problem becomes more significant. When I speak of ATV, I mean All-terrain vehicle, not the Fuel Cell term of Advanced Technology Vehicle. At Texas A and M. they are working on just such a project.
When we are talking motorcycles, and ATVs the cooling system is the major obstacle, wouldn’t you know it. There is always some hitch and it does appear that this small obstacle is in fact being taken care of through new material sciences and it is critical indeed as we have seen urban heat of five plus degrees within various regions of the US due to concrete and asphalt without one fuel cell car and we know that reciprocal engines of gasoline motors run about 300 or so degrees, which is a lot less than the conversion rate to pure hydrogen? Well these engineering barriers are being pummeled currently as the innovators in America accept the challenge and refuse to go back, such is the nature of the American Spirit, Never ever, ever, ever Give Up. Winston Churchill could have been an American, he certainly talked like one and this current situation could have used such talk. And of course he comes from the same stock as many of us do. Well it appears many University Researchers in this country may just beat President Bush’s cautious commitment to bring this technology to the forefront by 2012. We are now seeing the strides of innovation take hold. From the Spinglass Scooters to potential Segway Models.
Now then, the components of these vehicles cannot be made of lightweight composite. Some types of composite unfortunately give off Cyanide Gas when they burn. We of course have been learning this from the F-117 Stealth crashes and the potentiality of the 7E7 half composite airliners. So what material do you make these units out of which is safe for anything from a ride on lawn mower to a laptop computer 90 watt power system. Even Plastics melt and give off some pretty toxic substances? Ceramic Coatings or glass coatings on top of other materials, indeed may be one solution. As a matter of fact this is just about the only known solution for the exhaust and catalyst systems (which run extremely hot and glow inside) in current exhaust systems. Many think it can be applied to the heat issues of hydrogen cells as well and of course after reading many articles and studies in the Ceramics Industry, I believe there is ample opportunity there.
[http://www.ceramicindustry.com/CDA/Article...0],27484,00.html
We have been studying these situations for our company in the Mobile Oil Change Business figuring if we cannot change the oil in the future as a business we can replace filters and membranes with re-usable ceramic materials which maybe found in the new technologies associated with fuel cells. But where will all these filters be discharged? After all Glass takes quite a while to decompose rendering it’s half life closer than that of uranium to lead, then from Ceramic filter to dirt? Will future archeologists dig up these nifty ceramic filters in old garbage dumps in the decomposed semi-crude oil remenance and wonder what on Earth we used them for and proving that we were indeed a species of significant cognitive worth? As we look at ceramic coatings such as Adsil (google it to learn more) and others we realize that they decrease corrosion from things like the nasty Magnesium Chlorides put on roads in the North during ice and snowstorms.
Will we need to coat the entire car with glass to prevent fire? Will this mean you will wash your car with Windex? Is glass cleaning services a future growth industry then, since more things will be made from glass including much of the coating on a car. Will this foil the efforts of GM, Ford, Honda and Toyota in planned obsolescence? In other words whoever is making the cars, whether it is GM-Ballard partnership, Eaton-Ford Partnership or a Multi-National Foreign Conglomerate of China, Japan, Korea, US then will cars last so long people will buy fewer of them or will the Chinese demand for oil drive the prices of crude up so fast and furious that the whole world will begin to switch to fuel cells at once during a last hurrah of overbearing gas and diesel prices. Cars which last too long mean consumer will not continue to buy new cars which on average now is 3.1 years in the middle class of America. Now do not go out and buy Windex Stock right now. No matter what this is still many years off.
You will see in the future that many companies and even military, NASA and others use ceramic coatings on equipment to prolong life. Corrosion issues are serious in all sectors, including shipping containers, truck chassis, braking systems, railroad, automotive, even a rusty lawn-mower with many plastic parts from your local Home Depot, Lowes or Wal*Mart.
Ceramic coatings even applied at 5 mils are enough to seal the aluminum pores enough to solve basic corrosion problems. Corrosion control is especially important to military equipment after wartime. Sure it provides jobs to make new tanks, humvees and armored personnel carriers, but there maybe budget concerns as well to think about. After all some of the T-34 tanks used by our enemy were how old? Still running, perhaps with corrosion controls of ceramics, the ones left could be put in museums forever? A remainder of the Human Species and her need to wage war, perhaps an innate characteristic which may eventually be bread out of our genome, but probably not likely soon. Hydrogen cell tanks, yes there are many such projects going on now.
What will the routine maintenance service companies look like in the future? How will they maintain their ROIs and Proformas, forward looking statements and spreadsheets, Warren Buffet style balance sheets, quarterly profits and shareholder’s equity? These companies to harvest continued cash flow in these cleaning, maintenance and coating industries will need to drastically modify their procedures. As we see from this weeks devastating Hurricane Charley, we need to pay attention to the global warming problems as they are real and when you turn up the heat, the surrounding atmosphere will notice and when it comes to mother nature, she is quite sure of what she is doing.
I hope you have enjoyed this provocative topic and interesting study on Fuel Cells for motorcycles, trucks, trains, tanks, ATVs, ships, etc. as it pertains to global warming, urban heat, Fire Hazards from heat exchanges and risks associated with these new technologies.
The future is going to be a most excellent place to live as long as we pay attention to what we are doing on the way to get there.
Trucks Explained – Types of Trucks
?Trucks Explained – Types of Trucks
Although the first truck ever made is credited to England in 1885, Ford Motor Company is best known for taking the truck to the next level of mass production in the early 1900′s. Fords third vehicle produced in 1900 was a pickup type truck and in 1917 Ford introduced the Model-T One Ton truck chassis. In 1925 the first mass produced pickup truck came off the Ford assembly line. It featured a cargo box, tailgate, stake pockets and a heavy-duty rear suspension. Since the main purpose of the truck is to move cargo, trucks quickly started gaining in popularity as an efficient and economical way to transport products. As the versatility of the truck grew in popularity, along with improved roads, the truck today is the primary method for transporting goods.
Types of TrucksThe first trucks were unable to transport large and heavy loads. As the industrial revolution of agriculture and manufactured goods continued to increase in the twentieth century, the need for larger trucks that could handle larger and heavier loads increased. Today, trucks generally have 3 major classifications, light duty, medium duty and heavy duty.
Light duty trucks are normally your typical pick up type trucks and are generally under a maximum GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 14,000 lbs or less. The greater majority of pick up trucks utilize gas engines and their drive trains are more similar to passenger cars then other classifications of trucks. When selling a used truck, pick up trucks tend to hold their value better than passenger vehicles because of their versatility.
Medium duty trucks are generally between 14,001 and 26,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight). Even though there are some gas engines in medium trucks, the greatest majority are diesels because of the lower fuel costs and the life expectancy is generally three times greater than a gasoline engine. If you’re looking for trucks for sale or used trucks for sale in the medium category, you should always look for trucks with diesel engines. Medium trucks are often used in local deliveries, so when looking for trucks for sale, it’s better to find a truck that was used for longer hauls. Stop and go traffic with local routes is much harder on the drive train.
Heavy duty trucks are over 26,000 lbs GVW (gross vehicle weight) and are generally always diesel engines because of the higher torque, low fuel costs and durability. When purchasing a used truck for sale, look for trucks for sale that have lower mileage. The cost of replacing an engine or transmission could run into the “”tens”" of thousands of dollars. Heavy duty trucks are cab only and pull one to three trailers at a time. Heavy duty trucks are almost always long distance haulers due to their ability to transport large and heavy payloads.
In summary when looking for a truck for sale, look for a truck with a diesel engine because of fuel costs, durability and the ability to handle heavier loads and towing. If your looking for a used trucks for sale, look for trucks for sale that have low mileage and trucks for sale that have more highway miles than local miles. Following these guides could save you thousand of dollars in the long run.
Forget V8s In Pick-Ups, Small High Power Diesels Are The Way To Go
?Forget V8s In Pick-Ups, Small High Power Diesels Are The Way To Go
The Pick-up Truck market in the US is very lucrative and that does not harbor Innovation. With hauling capacity being the biggest selling point, Truck makers tout Ultra-large V8 engines putting out huge horsepower and torque figures. with fuel economy being a big issue today, many of the truck makers are looking to complex technologies to solve this issue. What many of them fail to realize is that smaller diesel engines can provide as much torque or more than the Big V8s and still consume less fuel.
I am fully aware the diesel engines in development by Ford and GM and its true that Chrysler is using the Mercedes 3L CDi engines in the grand Cherokee, but these are still too big and the Mercedes engine is quite expensive. Even Toyota with all their eco clout just followed Detroit when they engineered their new Tundra. To get an idea of what I’m trying to say is to look at those hatchbacks used for hauling in Europe. They rely on small diesel engines with serious torque that their petrol rivals cannot muster. Now look at the stream of progress in the diesel field from the amazing engines from Fiat and Peugeot to the high tech wonders of BMW especially their new twin turbo versions. The 3.0L 6 cylinder version produces 272hp and a mind boggling 413lbft of torque and the new 2.0L 4 cylinder version produces 204hp and 295lbft of torque. all while having a fuel economy of 35mpg and 41mpg respectively. That is some serious performance both on the torque and fuel economy fronts.
Now Imagine a Pick-up Truck with an engine in between those two a 2.5l 5 cylinder engine with 235hp and 350lbft of torque and a fuel economy of 30mpg taking the heavier weight of the Pick-up into consideration. This is very feasible and should be looked at by the Big Truck Makers. They can standardize their engines offering different states of turbo boost while using the same engine. This would save manufacturing costs and be a lot cheaper than chasing hybrids. Why Toyota did not push to take on the Pick-up Truck Market touting fuel economy is a mystery, but any Truck maker than wants to send the rest out of business should really consider small capacity diesels even if their initial price would be more expensive than the big V8s they currently use.
Would You Like to Meet a Legend
?Would You Like to Meet a Legend?
“”Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”" -Henry David Thoreau
In July I had the privilege of digitally recording a piece of history – a 3 1/2-hour conversation between two icons in the retail automotive sales industry, Mr. James A. Ziegler and a true living legend, Mr. Irving Silver.
Irving Silver is now 89 years old, going on 35. He rescued over 100 U.S. Soldiers during WWII. He sold 837 Jaguars in less than 3 years. In 1949 he was the first salesperson in his industry to earn almost $50,000 in 1 year. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by General Douglas MacArthur, personally.
Jim and Irving discussed many topics, including the attitude, sales techniques, processes and work ethic that both men utilized to reach the level of success that they have in their careers and in their lives. When the shoot ended I had no clue that 3 1/2 hours had passed.
If sales professionals will simply listen to what these two men have to say, this content has the potential to change lives forever. It has mine.
It is my sincere honor to introduce you to:
Mr. Irving Silver
Living in Sullivan County, NY, Irving Silver sold his first automobile in 1934 at the age of 16. Earlier he had purchased a Model T pick-up truck for 8.00. He restored the old truck and drove it for a while, then sold it for 16.00. Mr. Silver stated, “”That’s when I knew it. I told myself that when I grew up I was going to sell cars.”"
On December 7th, 1941, a young Irving Silver heard over the radio that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. On April 6th, 1942 he arrived at Fort Dix, New Jersey and enlisted in the United States Army. He then proceeded to Fort Bragg, NC for Basic Training and received the rank of Corporal due to his knowledge of diesel engines. He trained exclusively on landing craft and during combat operations he operated an LCM, (landing craft medium).
Mr. Silver was involved in military operations in New Guinea, Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Iwo Gima and the Philippine Islands.
In October of 1944 he took part in the largest Naval battle that the world has ever seen, The Battle of Leyte Gulf.
One day as the Allied Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy were engaged in heavy naval combat, Mr. Silver and his crew members observed two disabled U.S. PT Boats.
He and his crew navigated their Landing Craft Medium, (joined by another LCM), out to the disabled vessels and the battle, ran cables underneath the two vessels and successfully towed both vessels out of harms way.
Mr. Silver landed on the Philippine Islands ten days before General MacArthur did. His mission was to assist the Filipino Guerillas in establishing listening posts in Mindanao in preparation for the impending troop landings. Mindanao was fully occupied by the Japanese.
On December 30th, while preparing for a planned landing at Mindoro on the Western end of the Philippine Islands, Mr. Silver and his crew observed a 200′ long “”PT Tender”", (munitions supply ship for PT Boats), that had been struck by a Japanese Kamikaze aircraft. The ship was on fire and was adrift approximately 300 yards off-shore. The craft was also fully stocked with torpedoes and other highly explosive munitions. Mr. Silver and his crew navigated their LCM, (joined by another LCM), out to the burning ship. He and his crew boarded the highly volatile vessel and rescued over 100 injured Sailors.
In early 1945 General Douglas MacArthur personally awarded Irving Silver with The Bronze Star Medal for “”Heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy.”" General MacArthur also gave Mr. Silver a Battlefield Commission from the rank of Corporal to the rank of Captain.
Also in early 1945 after returning from WWII, Mr. Silver took out a bank loan for 3500.00, purchased a business license in Albany, NY and opened Hasbrouck Tavern in Woodburn, NY.
It was a small building that he built by hand and was located out in the woods in Sullivan County, NY. He purchased an old Chevy for 35.00, painted “”Hasbrouck Tavern – Dine and Dance”" across the back and parked it in front of the tavern.
Mr. Silver stated, “”The Tavern was my first experience with successful marketing. We hung posters and handed out flyers all over the place that read, ‘Hasbrouck Tavern – Come and see the Hillbillies Square Dance.’ New York people from the Bronx and Brooklyn had no idea what square dances were, but they were curious.”"
On opening night, the Silvers could not accommodate all of the people that showed up.
Later that year he and his bride of four years Ronnie, left upstate New York and traveled to Atlanta, Georgia. For a while he was in the jewelry business before he decided that he didn’t want to travel anymore. Given his long time love for cars, Mr. Silver wanted to sell them.
Mr. Silver went to several dealerships in and around Atlanta in search of a sales position. He stated that he had a difficult time landing a job until Lander Motors decided to “”give him a shot.”" He began to speak about his early experiences at Lander when he was asked, “”Why was it so hard to land a job at a dealership?”" Mr. Silver replied with a chuckle, “”I was the first Jewish car salesman ever in the history of Atlanta.”"
1946 – In his first 22 months as a salesman at Lander Motors in Atlanta, Irving Silver delivered 235 new cars, 15 trucks and 70 used vehicles. (Good thing they decided to “”give him a shot”").
In 1949, he became the first auto salesman in Atlanta to make over 50,000 in one year.
Over the next few years he became the number one salesman in the country for Dodge and Plymouth.
In the 1960′s he was the number one Nash Rambler salesman in the country and became a member of the Chevrolet “”Legion of Leaders.”"
In the late 1980′s he became the number one Jaguar salesman in the WORLD, delivering over 837 Jaguars in less than 3 years. A record that has never been broken.
Due to an injury Mr. Silver “”retired”" from Troncalli in 1989. At 78 years of age, he was back in the saddle in 1995 returning to work at Troncalli.
Mr. Silver had a top gross of 21,000.00 in a single day. (Commission, not sales).
Mr. Silver is the founder of the first Automotive Sales Institute which was accredited by the State of Georgia, he led the board for over 47 years.
He was also director of the Antique Automobile Club of America – Southeastern Region.
Irving never looked back. Over the years he would sell cars to the sons, daughters and grandchildren of his customers dating back to 1949. He personally sold over 100 million worth of automobiles before he stopped keeping track.
Charlie Troncalli, head of Troncalli Jaguar, Lincoln-Mercury and Saab wrote: “”…he has more than earned the title of ‘legend.’”" A Jaguar trade publication referred to him as “”Sterling”" Silver.
AND…
To top it all off, in 1965 Mr. Silver had an idea for an invention. The turbine operated wet/dry shaver. He holds the patent on it. Due to the fact that his shaver is turbine operated, it sucks the cut whiskers into a canister which means they won’t float around in outer space. Today, every time an astronaut inside the Space Station shaves, he or she utilizes Irving’s shaver.
In closing – If you are ever fortunate enough to meet a true American Hero, PLEASE, P-L-E-A-S-E tell their story. Our country needs it now more than ever.
View photos, letters, video clips and more at: AutoSalesHallofFame.com
Ford, GM, and Chrysler; Still the Big Three
?Ford, GM, and Chrysler; Still the Big Three?
Back in the early nineties the light duty work truck market experienced something it hadn’t seen before: Asian competition; sort of.While Japanese manufacturers had done a number on the big three in the small truck market as they had done in various automobile segments, the full size truck market was still red, white, blue, and green$$. Then came the Toyota T-100. While the initial entry into the full size market from Japan didn’t have much of an impact on the North American work truck market, it should have been a wake-up call.
Though the T-100 missed the work truck mark in many ways: low gvw, sheet metal like tin foil, puny power trains, low tow rating, and styling best described as a Camry with an 8′ bed, it did accomplish one thing. It gave Toyota a platform to experiment, gather feedback and learn. It wasn’t exactly heavy duty. But by the T-100′s third year of production it claimed the title of Best Full Size Pickup in JD Powers initial quality survey and had begun to erode notions that only American manufacturers could build full size trucks.
Since then the T-100 has become the Tundra, and has racked up just about every quality award and press accolade known to man. It’s also grown up. Regular Cabs have grown to double cabs larger than the domestics, and horsepower and displacement have grown from the initial 3.0 v6 to todays vvt-i V8 pushing nearly 300 hp. But a more important event occurred when the T-100 became the Tundra. It went from a Japanese truck built in Japan by Japanese workers to an American Truck built for the American market by American’s. Why is that important? In the world of full size trucks, it’s everything. When it comes to high revving sports cars, compact economy cars, or even lawnmowers, we’re happy to defer to any European or Asian company with a better idea. But, when it comes to trucks, Americans are finicky.
We know what we want and don’t want. I’m an American truck owner and I can’t describe it but I get it. We all get it. So regardless of whether or not it makes financial sense for Japanese car companies to build trucks here in the US (it does), it makes perfect sense from a design and marketing standpoint. The best and fastest way to deliver what a market wants and needs is to be immersed in the culture. That shift from the T-100 being built in Tokyo by Toyotas Hino division, to the Tundra being built in Indiana by American’s forever blurred the distinction between foreign and domestic trucks. Foreign vs. Domestic simply doesn’t have the same meaning in the 21st century as it did in the decades following WW2.
The impact of this event hasn’t fully developed yet but it will in the coming years. Full size trucks were the last unmolested market the big three had. Now, not only is there foreign competition, it’s not even really foreign. When Toyota opens their new truck plant in San Antonio in late 2006, they will employ over 2000 workers and have on-site suppliers employing another 2100 people. All of them Texans. It’s hard toimagine an American truck more American than one built by Texans.
Now, with the introduction of the Canton Mississippi built Nissan Titan, the writing is on the wall. Through October of this year, Nissan has sold nearly 74,000 Titans. Add that to the more than 100,000 Tundras pumped into the market, and we’re talking serious numbers. That’s annually more than a quarter million sales that would have gone to Ford, GM or Chrysler a mere 13 years ago. But the figures are more ominous to the big 3 than that. The Titan and Tundra only compete in the 1/2 ton market. Toyota and Nissan don’t produce a model to compete with the Chevy HD’s, Ford Super Duty’s, or Heavy Dodge Rams and Power Wagons; YET.
Can’t imagine Nissan and Toyota building serious work trucks? Remember, Toyota already owns Hino and Nissan and UD are one in the same. Hino and UD own a significant piece of the class 3 to 6 medium duty truck market in the states. Those are the segments just above the Super Duties, Power Wagons, and HD’s.
They may not be called Nissan and Toyota, but that’s not important. What is important, is that they have the dealer network, distribution chain, corporate infrastructure, and 20 plus years of selling quality trucks to commercial buyers in the U.S. All that’s left is to close the loop in the noose around the big threes collective neck.
To work truck buyers, three factors are critical. Initial cost, cost of operation, and reliability. Nissan and Toyota are masters at entering market segments and in a short time having products of higher quality, better efficiency, and in many cases lower prices than their competitors. Forcing the big three to play catch up at their own game. Cadillac and Lincoln still haven’t caught back up to Lexus. If GM, Ford and Chrysler don’t get it together in a hurry, Nissan and Toyota will start building 3/4 and one ton trucks, and the game will be over before they knew it started.So how ready are the big three for serious foreign competition?
This year If Toyota was inclined, they could have offered a no bed Tundra with a dual wheel rear axle under it, dropped in one of Hinos diesel engines and sold more cab and chassis than Dodge. How? Dodge hasn’t offered a true cab and chassis since the Ram’s redesign in 2003, literally giving the market to Ford and GM for over three years. That kind of slow adaptation will spell disaster against companies like Toyota and Nissan. Not to mention Honda and Mitsubishi who may also become players.Based on show vehicles recently unveiled, like the Toyota FTX (which has a built in collapsible job box and ramps that slide out of the bed), Nissan and Toyota are going to go bigger and heavier. While Ford is wasting time slapping Super Duty pickup beds on International chassis, Toyota and Nissan are refining their product and winning the hearts and minds of American truck buyers.
Will history repeat itself? It already is. Oh, and by the way, the Chinese are coming.
Ford Spearheads Diesel Revolution
?Ford Spearheads Diesel Revolution
Ford Motor Company in its endeavor to introduce innovative technologies that improve fuel economy, reduce vehicle emissions and country’s reliance on imported oil, has finally come up with the cleanest and the quietest diesel sold in America. Its all-new Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup has a new 6.4-liter Power Stroke® Diesel that has ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel and advanced diesel particulate filter which can provide particulate emissions levels similar to that of gasoline engines. 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup is soon to be unveiled at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Sept. 28.
“”Ford has built its truck reputation on innovation in design, capability and durability,”" said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. He further noted, “”Clean diesel power will bring even more capability to our new Super Duty pickup – along with a new level of quietness and refinement. It’s what you would expect from America’s truck leader for nearly 30 years, and it’s the sort of innovation you will see throughout our product lineup going forward.”"
Ford F-Series Pickup parts have included the all new Power Stroke diesel engine to increase the current displacement of Duper Duty pickup. This engine is the very first engine in North America to utilize a high pressure, high precision, common-rail fuel injection system featuring piezo-electric injectors which pave way for a quieter engine with better emissions. The filter incorporated in it is efficient in sifting black smoke from exhaust gases. In the process, it also cleans itself through the use of advanced engine controls.
It can be recalled that Ford has also spearheaded other environment advocacies earlier. These include vehicles that can run on E-85 ethanol, including the flex-fuel F-150, and hybrids. It is also looked up as the leader in hydrogen internal combustion engines. In view of this advocacy, Ford is also actively engaged in fuel, engine and transmission studies to deploy advanced technologies without sacrificing the environment.
Winter Sports Enthusiasts Take Heart
?Winter Sports Enthusiasts Take Heart
If you’ve been around areas of the country that regularlyreceive snow for for any amount of time, you begin toperceive patterns. There are subtle hints that winter isapproaching. Even though it is still 60 degrees, if you are perceptive you should be able to find clues that others among us are gearing up for serious winter activity. One clue you may find you’ve noticed before, but never paid attention to, is the large number of new full size trucks that appear on the road. For some reason, those who ride snowmobiles find it necessary to buy new Ford F350 Powerstroke diesel pickups on what appears to be a yearly basis. If it isn’t the Ford, then it wouldsurely be a Chevy Silverado 2500 of the Duramax dieselvariety. Looking closer, the need for a pickup is clearwhen you see the brand new Arctic Cat Crossfire 8, PolarisSwitchback 600, Ski-Doo Summit and Yamaha Apex machines allbeing pulled behind said vehicle.
Another clue that winter is upon us is the sudden bookingof winter travel destinations. While most are taught inschool that it is human nature to avoid pain, this wouldseem contrary to the large number of winter vacationersthat plan visits to astonishingly cold locations. Take forinstance Telluride, Colorado. At an average high of lessthan freezing in winter, it’s surprising that the number ofvisitors during the winter months will dwarf those duringthe pleasant summer. One great example of this behavior isMammoth Mountain California in winter. While quitepicturesque in summer and spring, the frozen fall andwinter will bring copious numbers of hikers, climbers,skiers and other types of winter sports enthusiasts.
If you believe you are being affected in the same manner asthe people described above, there are programs that canhelp. First, you should find a support group that hasexperience dealing with Snowboarders, Skiers orSnowmobilers. Next you should find product literature thatdescribes in detail the new features on the Arctic Cat M1000Sno Pro.
Confronting your weaknesses is the most import key todealing with this problem. You should also be aware thatcomprehensive insurance is available for all these wintertoys. Automobile insurance combined with policies for yournew Polaris can often save hundreds of dollars a year. Witha reasonable insurance policy, the fear of losing thesewinter appliances should dissipate, leading to a dismissalof the need to purchase such frivolous vehicles. AllArctic Cat and Polaris Snowmobiles are easily finance-able,and it is even possible to find fantastic interest rates onthe new lineup of Dodge pickups.
So take a moment and come to grips with the problem thatconfronts you. Winter should be a time to escape to thewarmer climes of Mexico, Hawaii or the Bahamas. It is nothealthy to spend all your time in the cold. There is helpavailable, if you would but take the time to find it, your life will be all the better.
To find help for overcoming your winter addictions, visithttp://www.sledneckreview.com
Ford Outfits Heavy Duty Diesel Parts on the New Scorpion V8
?Ford Outfits Heavy Duty Diesel Parts on the New Scorpion V8
The 2011 edition of the Ford Super Duty pickup features an all-new diesel V8 engine. This torque-y beast was designed in-house and given a name that would send shivers down James Bond’s spine: Scorpion. The engine carries over the V8 configuration of the previous 6.4L Power Stroke, and it picks up a variety of technologies that have appeared on other recent gas and diesel engines, including a turbocharger.
The biggest change by far is the adoption of an inside-out engine layout, seen in other vehicles like BMW’s new turbocharged gas V8 and GM’s Duramax 4500. Since the V-engine configuration was first introduced, most models have had the intake system mounted in the valley between the banks and the exhaust incorporated on the outside. This new layout switches that around.
The Scorpion also features a new turbocharger manufactured by Honeywell, combining the principle of the sequential turbo approach with the variable vane system. This turbocharger uses the engine’s exhaust gases to spin up a turbine that drives a compressor to force more air into the engine, thus producing more power. The beauty of the system lies in its efficiency. It consumes very little energy under light load conditions, allowing for improved MPGs. When extra power is needed, the turbo helps expand the engine’s operating range to produce the required amount of boost on-demand.
Beyond the new turbo technology and layout, the remainder of the engine is business as usual. In order to meet the latest emissions standards, the Scorpion features many of the same technologies found on the latest light-duty diesels, which run cleaner, produce less soot and nitrogen oxide, use less fuel and still create gut-wrenching performance gains.
Among the most popular truck accessories and diesel performance parts for the Scorpion are genuine Ford parts than include diesel stacks, brakes, performance chips and a performance exhaust system. With all that brute strength under the hood, the possibilities for towing and other high-output activities are practically endless. But, since there’s no such thing as “”too much power,”" the addition of performance chips and a performance exhaust system can streamline your engine to maximize the output often lost in a series of restrictive factory settings. Used together, performance chips and a performance exhaust can maximize exhaust flow while creating an overall efficiency that translates to greater fuel economy by making adjustments to your air/fuel ratio, ignition timing and other key variables. To meet the demands of that extra power, many are also considering beefing up their brakes with the addition of reliable components like performance brake pads, proven to surpass their underperforming counterparts in durability by 20 – 40 percent. Additionally, performance brakes come slotted and cross-drilled to channel water away from the braking surface while providing the tough appearance worthy of the name Scorpion.
The History and Gradual Development of Commercial Trucks1
?The History and Gradual Development of Commercial Trucks
Commercial Trucks are the most required and necessitated vehicles of the current world. There are many of the types of trucks which are making huge impression in different industries and sectors of the world. They are quite important for transporting raw materials from the origin destinations to the industries, some of them are also helpful for the processing procedures and the most important needs of these vehicles is to transport the ready goods and products from the industries to the destinations where they are actually required.
Thus, commercial trucks are the main necessities of day to day lives of the people. These trucks are having aggressive and dynamic approach of hauling capacities and also of the speeds. Let us get knowledgeable about the history and evolution saga.
The Origin
The origin of trucking industries can be seen way back in the end of 19th Century when some of the European countries and United States of America started using a vehicle that can make it possible to haul some of the goods in basic conditions. The first ever truck used was the Pickup truck and it was built by the German automotive company Daimler. The automotive Giant Gottlieb Daimler was the founder of these trucks and he invented the trucks which became an ideal and icon for the transportation industries.
After this evolution, Daimler Trucks became the sole producers of commercial trucks in entire world but their monopoly did not lasted too long as in the first decade of 20th century many of the companies got started in manufacturing process of these transporting beauties. The first ever company that became the largest manufacturers after Daimler was GMC. GMC was launched in 1905 and they are still running successfully in the markets even after one century. The Chevy and Chevrolet are the brands which made everyone stunned by their features like power propelled machines, powerful pull and push, stack, terrific capacities of tires, hauling capacities and the four horsepower engines. These qualities made people more and more enthusiastic about trucks and their uses.
Other names that starts twinkling in the skies of trucking sales were Dodge industries and Ford Industries. Dodge is well known for the engines and technical assistance of models and Ford is more popular for the utility criteria of vehicles and made it possible to introduce many of the types of TruckZones. The zone which was created by these manufacturers were gaining huge popularity and gaining momentum in the automotive lovers. After World War II, Japan made huge progress in the automotive industries and so as in trucking industries. The rival companies like Nissan, Volvo, and Honda made aggressive comeback and the Korean giant Hyundai made is possible to give tough competition to the German and American industries. The competition really proved beneficial for the truck lovers and also for the trucks models as more of the innovative styles and types of trucks were getting involved day by day to make the people their lives and easier and smarter.
The more innovative models and types also include diesel trucks, electric trucks and many more of the types which can save fuel for the coming generations.
Ford Announces New 2011 F-Series Super Duty
?Ford Announces New 2011 F-Series Super Duty
Ford has announced its plans for a new version of the F-Series Super Duty for the year 2011. The Ford F-Series line has been one of the top selling lines in the United States for a number of years, especially the F-150. The Super Duty is one of the largest and most powerful trucks made by the Ford Motor Company. One of the biggest visual differences between the Super Duty and the standard F-150 pickup is the presence of an enormous front end which is plastered with chrome. The large Ford emblem in front is over one foot long by itself. I fell like the Super Duty is best described as a small mobile home rather than a large truck.
The care will be available with most of the normal luxuries that are available in the standard truck models. Ford also claims that there redesigned console will have the largest capacity in its class. The wheel for this massive truck range from 17-inches to 20-inches, all depending on the trim you get it in of course. Ford hasn’t released any data on the new horsepower but they will come with either a new 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 or a new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel, both engines should put out enough power to satisfy the neediest customer. It is reported that there will also be an EcoBoost engine available as well.
There is no doubt that the new Super Duty will be a hard sell after recent spikes in gas prices and increasing demand for fuel efficient cars. But the Super Duty will rely on sales to businesses for a great deal of their sales, they will of course have no choice in the matter and demand these type of vehicles. If Ford can also make these cars more fuel efficient in the near future than that will really help them increase their market share for large trucks.
Will Diesel Hybrid Vehicles Be the New High Mileage Green Car2
?Will Diesel Hybrid Vehicles Be the New High Mileage Green Car?
Peugeot will be the first manufacturer to sell a small family car with a diesel electric-hybrid power unit. It will be a version of the new 308 model and will be on sale before the end of the decade. Peugeot does not sell in the US, but has watched the sale of hybrids such as the Prius in Europe and elsewhere. Toyota has sold about 5,000 Prius cars in the UK and more than 22,000 Prius cars in Europe. The Peugeot diesel hybrid is projected to average more that 70 mpg. It will have the lowest carbon dioxide emissions of any car except a pure electric car. Peugeot has declined for the present to quote a price stating that they are working to reduce the cost.
Meanwhile over in Japan, Toyota purchased a 5.9 share in Isuzu. Taking advantage of Isuzu’s expertise in diesels, Toyota plans to combine its Synergy hybrid drive system with a diesel engine. A Toyota subcompact with this system is reported to be available by 2010. In the US, you may has seen a diesel hybrid-electric vehicle and not realized it. City transit buses, military ground vehicles, garbage trucks, delivery trucks and etc. have been using diesel hybrids for years.
Since diesel engines run optimally at steady speed highway driving, trucks are a natural for diesel engines. Thus, the combining of the diesel engine with a electric drive system is of great benefit to the heavy trucks that must also navigate city streets with its stop and go traffic. Other manufacturers, besides Toyota and Peugeot, are also working on developing their own diesel power hybrid vehicles. They include Citroen, Ford, Opel and Volkswagen. Until 2007, most diesel fuel sold in the US is the high sulfur variety which which is starting to be phased out by law in 2010. Now cleaner diesel fuel is starting to be available nationwide. This in turn is motivating the above mentioned manufacturers to develop diesel hybrid-electric vehicles.
This new diesel fuel is an ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel with a sulfur content of less than 15 part per million. By 2010, it will take more than 53 new trucks to equal the emissions of one 1988 truck. With the increased production of clean diesel fuel, most analysts predict that diesel sales will account for more than 10 percent of the US vehicle sales by 2015. Also, since diesel fuel is less flammable and explosive than gasoline, approximately 60 percent of US school buses are powered by diesel.
In addition, diesel vehicles usually get 20 to 40 percent more miles per gallon than gasoline vehicles. According the US Environmental Protection Agency, America could save up to 1.4 million barrels of oil per day if one third of US vehicles were diesel powered. This is the amount of oil currently imported from Saudi Arabia. These figures are for pure diesel vehicles. A diesel hybrid-electric vehicle would save even more on oil.
Finally, diesel drivers have the option of fueling their vehicles with blends of biodiesel. This is a domestically produced fuel that further reduces US oil dependence. By turning to a diesel hybrid-electric vehicle, American can save money at the pump without having to sacrifice power and performance that drivers have come to expect and rely on.
Spy Shots – 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 Truck
?Spy Shots – 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 Truck
GMC is one of the leading and top scoring companies of the automotive world. Also the company has maintained the reputation of making the trucks with great utilities and potential features. Amongst the varieties of models of GMC trucks, the most reputed and popular model could be counted as GMC Sierra!!
GMC Company
GMC is the part of the huge and dynamic name of automotive industries, General Motors. This is the company which is involved in various products like the Pick up trucks, Sport-utility vehicles Van, Crossover and also various cars. The manufactured vehicles of this company are having specialty of having powerful pick ups and comfortable drives. They are capable of bearing heavier loads also. The company is also manufacturing various types of trucks like medium duty commercial trucks, chassis cab and also the products of gasoline and diesel Powertain.
GMC Sierra
GMC Sierra is the model with versatile features and many of the innovative functions. The most distinct feature of the truck could be the Vortec engine which is the heart of this truck. There are numerous types of this engine and different types of engine provide different EPS and fuel capacities. Also the Duramax engine is quite distinctive engine type.
2011 GMC Sierra 3500
2011 GMC Sierra 3500 is the model which is waited by so many truck lovers and also is having tremendous features which can make anyone impressed. The picture of the same truck is being available on the net. The special features of this truck is that the hood is totally being changed with special louvers, the engine is kept of Duramax 6.6 litre and the 6 speed Allison transmission is the hottest feature!! The same features of this truck are used in the Chevrolet Silverado HD and are one of the most popular brands available in the Trucking industries.
This model is also known as the next generation model of the regular Sierra 3500 model. There are various significant changes and enhancements to the trucks. The chassis is changed to more stages and the Powertain will be sportier in this model!!
So, this is one of the most powerful trucks to be introduced in coming years!!
