Random Thoughts Thread

[G. David Felt]

18 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I think they're the same level of cheapness. We have just gotten used to nicer interiors. 

Just a couple weeks ago I was in the back seat of a buddy's 2023 or 2024 GTI and it felt extremely cheap feeling. I can't imagine a 2003-2004 GTI really felt any nicer back there though. It's just as cheap, we just expect much better for 30-35k vehicles, which is understandable. 

This is where if the IDIOTS in DC ever figure out how to really deal with trade, the Kia EV3/4 that has gotten rave reviews in Europe and Asia for high-quality entry-level interiors will be interesting to see here. Currently on Delay except for Canada and Mexico which will get them built in Korea, shipped to those markets. So later this summer, I hope that when I go up to visit Canada again, I can check one out.

I totally agree with you that we have gotten used to a much nicer interior and so when it comes to entry level autos, the cheap plastic interior is not wanted by the masses. Much like technology, young people have complained about why entry level auto's do not have all the tech that their parents auto have and again, cheap entry level, stuff is not included except as an expensive options package.

[G. David Felt]

Ugh for the summer drivers.

WA the only state with higher gas prices than last year

[G. David Felt]

First off, I am NOT wanting this to be political about our current president, but I do acknowledge that some will want to go political on this.

Springsteen Fans Walk After Trump Comments | National Circus

While i respect those that walked out of his concert, canceled tickets, etc. this I believe brings up a bigger issue. The intelligence to lead a nation and the effects one has on those citizens.

Some say #47 is having a positive effect on the U.S. others say he is having a negative effect and the current administration is taking credit for the current low inflation, low unemployment, etc.

Yet, what is happening now from an employment, selling price, etc. is actually the effects of the last administration. WHY, most businesses are selling product they ordered back at the end of 2024 at a set price and received before tariffs went into effect. It has always been normal for businesses to have 6 to 9 months of stock on hand unless you are a true little mom and pop shop where you tend to be more month by month.

In this regard we have seen the current administration tariff war end in closing down small companies due to no longer being able to afford their products that are produced in China and abandoning the product in China as they cannot afford to pay the higher prices.

This bring it to the point I am making in what I believe Bruce Springsteen is calling for, people to think about how businesses are really run, the costs of things to come and the pay to play affect of the current administration.

We have seen plenty of battery and EV auto plants now put on hold, we have seen plenty of green energy projects canceled or put on hold. 

The effect on the auto industry will affect millions and Tesla just announced a minimum of 1 week idling of their U.S. assembly plants due to oversupply of EVs.

We are coming up on the end of the two-month freeze by auto companies on the prices they sell their auto's for. Will it truly end in big or small price increases? How much of the cost of high tariffs will the companies eat to keep sales going?

If you have not repaired your auto at the Dealerships, 3rd party repair places or did the repair yourself buying parts at an auto part store, then you have not felt the increased cost yet, but I can tell you things have gotten much more expensive than they were.

Here are the current statistics:

Producer Price Index by Industry: Automotive Parts, Accessories and Tire Retailers (PCU44134413) | FRED | St. Louis Fed