A couple randomish thoughts on the auto industry.
1. I've got a 2005 vehicle, one that has very low miles, used very little. It recently required rebuilding of the front end in hopes of improving it such that we can take a total 30 hour road trip. After repairs, noted that the vehicle had a vibration that got significantly worse above 65 mph. I hated the idea of more work on an old clunker and pondered a new vehicle. Insights:
-nobody is making the equivalent of a $35K tesla. There are no stripped down work trucks available, only trucks with lots of crap packages added on, each raising the price a lot.
-likely well known, but nothing is available on the lots, just for ordering or accepting en route vehicles.
-all prices came across as inflated, stick it to you.
-These vehicles ALL seemed to offer little in regards to improved capability to my 2005 model. I have the money to buy anything on the market but all of the choices were uninspiring, especially compared to our Tesla and planned CT purchase. Nothing to inspire passion!
2. Background. I had a problem with a tire in our old model 3, think it needed a plug. I went to one family run shop in my area, a name associated with tires, okay, the only shop associated with tires in my mind. As the family of owners grew, they branched out and opened more stores. When I went in with the problem, without even looking at the car, they dismissed me out of the store, said they would not work on it because of the foam. I'd seen the inside of a tesla tire, no big deal to fix a plug. They were almost ugly in their reaction, would not talk further. I went to another car service/tire shop. They looked at the tire, spent some time talking amongst themselves, seemed willing to help, but did not work on it. They were hesitant. So, unable to obtain service to smaller local shops I went to a discount tire location. While explaining the problem to the customer service rep they stopped me short when asking about special pucks to lift the car up with, they knew all about them. Within a few minutes my car was on the lift, they plugged it, and I was on my way home. NO CHARGE to plug the tire, I had not bought from them. I watched the shop work for a bit, seemed like a well oiled machine, I would hire every one of the workers.
So, internet search of my truck problems suggested I needed to look at tire pressure, tire rotation, tire balancing, tire defects, then progress to looking at frame issues. I made an appointment with Discount Tire. When the tech put my first tire on the balancer he had to add some weight. Spun the tire again, needed more. Still needed more so he brought in a 2nd guy, Then a third. The tire was badly cupped, required replacement. Once again, discount tire solved a problem for me.
Noted:
Ice vehicles are uninspiring after owning tesla.
Ice service businesses will die along with ICE as they are not adapting.
New business entrants can offer better value and service.
Long Term Bullish.
1. I've got a 2005 vehicle, one that has very low miles, used very little. It recently required rebuilding of the front end in hopes of improving it such that we can take a total 30 hour road trip. After repairs, noted that the vehicle had a vibration that got significantly worse above 65 mph. I hated the idea of more work on an old clunker and pondered a new vehicle. Insights:
-nobody is making the equivalent of a $35K tesla. There are no stripped down work trucks available, only trucks with lots of crap packages added on, each raising the price a lot.
-likely well known, but nothing is available on the lots, just for ordering or accepting en route vehicles.
-all prices came across as inflated, stick it to you.
-These vehicles ALL seemed to offer little in regards to improved capability to my 2005 model. I have the money to buy anything on the market but all of the choices were uninspiring, especially compared to our Tesla and planned CT purchase. Nothing to inspire passion!
2. Background. I had a problem with a tire in our old model 3, think it needed a plug. I went to one family run shop in my area, a name associated with tires, okay, the only shop associated with tires in my mind. As the family of owners grew, they branched out and opened more stores. When I went in with the problem, without even looking at the car, they dismissed me out of the store, said they would not work on it because of the foam. I'd seen the inside of a tesla tire, no big deal to fix a plug. They were almost ugly in their reaction, would not talk further. I went to another car service/tire shop. They looked at the tire, spent some time talking amongst themselves, seemed willing to help, but did not work on it. They were hesitant. So, unable to obtain service to smaller local shops I went to a discount tire location. While explaining the problem to the customer service rep they stopped me short when asking about special pucks to lift the car up with, they knew all about them. Within a few minutes my car was on the lift, they plugged it, and I was on my way home. NO CHARGE to plug the tire, I had not bought from them. I watched the shop work for a bit, seemed like a well oiled machine, I would hire every one of the workers.
So, internet search of my truck problems suggested I needed to look at tire pressure, tire rotation, tire balancing, tire defects, then progress to looking at frame issues. I made an appointment with Discount Tire. When the tech put my first tire on the balancer he had to add some weight. Spun the tire again, needed more. Still needed more so he brought in a 2nd guy, Then a third. The tire was badly cupped, required replacement. Once again, discount tire solved a problem for me.
Noted:
Ice vehicles are uninspiring after owning tesla.
Ice service businesses will die along with ICE as they are not adapting.
New business entrants can offer better value and service.
Long Term Bullish.
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