Fbodfather
06-12-2002, 10:54 AM
Good afternoon, all,
While I have been off the board for a while, I went on last evening to “check the pulse” and was surprised to see what some had to say about my absence.
Apparently some feel that I was on the board only to sell new Camaros – and that once we scheduled the last car, I disappeared.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
I will always be passionate about Camaro and Firebird –regardless of what the future holds. This has been more than just a job for me – it has been a lifelong passion – and those that know me can attest to that fact. I am a “Camaro Junkie.”
So, no, that is NOT the reason I have not posted on this site in a while.
I believe in CamaroZ28.com and I support it as much as possible. I talk about it to the media – I put it in our retail training information to let the salespeople in our dealerships know that there are some very enthusiastic people out there that need to find a good salesperson……..I put CamaroZ28 in our Camaro Legends Tour video…..and I send “Camaro Stuff” out to Jason and Chris for editorial content on the site. I try to meet with Jason once a month or so for dinner –just to talk shop…..he and Chris do a great job with this site. However, there are a LOT of Fbody sites out there….and quite frankly, I have a very full schedule at GM. Furthermore, I travel just about every weekend to an Fbody event…..on my own time …..because I believe that it is important to support our enthusiasts…..moreover, there is no better way to get feedback than talking to enthusiasts ‘one-on-one’ or in small groups. (sorry, but the internet is NOT a great way to get feedback…in my humble opinion, there is a delayed ‘give and take’ – additionally, it is too easy to be misunderstood. And finally, I want to know who it is that is giving me feedback….who they are, what they drive, what they do, etc……..and that is simply not possible on the internet. don’t believe me? Look at some profiles some time….you know who I am, but I haven’t a clue as to who you are….or what your level of expertise is….)
I have not disappeared and have no intentions of doing so…but I only have so much time in a day…and I cannot post all the time. And I do try to get to most of the sites....
Many do not like what I post….perhaps it is because I will not give them a glimpse into the future. --- and I am not going to because I will not put my job in jeopardy. Or perhaps it is because I do not agree with their point of view…..or perhaps it seems that I give way too many excuses as to the ‘whys’ and ‘why nots’ of GM and the other U.S. Manufacturers.
The automobile business is NOT an easy business. Government mandates have complicated this business. Additionally, consumerism, while having its good points also taxes our abilities at times. On top of this, the United States has opened its doors to the world…anyone that wants to build and export cars and trucks to the United States can do so….tariff-free. It is difficult to compete with countries that pay a small fraction for labor….and don’t get me wrong…I have no problems for the most part with the UAW…..the money they are paid is spent in the local economies of where the membership lives and works – and that is a good thing for the U.S. Economy in my opinion.
One of my goals when posting is to educate. For example, my expertise is in automobiles. It is NOT in computers and software. I personally have problems with Windows Millenium – and while there are features that I do not like, I am certainly not going to tell Bill Gates – or those of you who are software guys how to fix Windows Millenium…because it is not my area of expertise.
So….
With all that said, I am still out there – lurking – reading, nodding my head sometimes, shaking it more often than nodding it….. I may sometimes struggle with the urge to strike back when getting flamed...however, it would be unprofessional of me – and further, I believe that much of the anger and frustration that I read is because you genuinely love the Camaro and Firebird….and you are furious that GM apparently walked away from the market…never to return. (Don’t jump to conclusions on that last one………….)
And lastly, do I believe that GM is a great company? You betcha! I have been approached by three different manufacturers to go to work for them…for more money….but I won’t do it. I truly believe in the future at GM. (and there is more to life than just money…..) Do I believe GM does everything right? Hell no! Never has, never will …nor will any other company…that’s just the way things work.
I believe two very important events took place in the recent past that will impact the future very brightly – One…Ron Zarella left. Two, Bob Lutz came back. Mr. Lutz has allowed many creative people to do what they love to do….design, build, manufacture, and market great cars--- but remember, you cannot turn this thing around over night. Moreover, one person cannot change the entire company…it will take thousands of talented people working countless hours to undo some of the damage done by ‘outsiders’ that were not car guys and gals.
OK – ‘nuff said.
Who’s coming to Huntington Beach, CA this weekend – or Keystone Camaros in Pittsburgh next weekend – or SLP day in Columbus the following weekend????
While I have been off the board for a while, I went on last evening to “check the pulse” and was surprised to see what some had to say about my absence.
Apparently some feel that I was on the board only to sell new Camaros – and that once we scheduled the last car, I disappeared.
Nothing can be further from the truth.
I will always be passionate about Camaro and Firebird –regardless of what the future holds. This has been more than just a job for me – it has been a lifelong passion – and those that know me can attest to that fact. I am a “Camaro Junkie.”
So, no, that is NOT the reason I have not posted on this site in a while.
I believe in CamaroZ28.com and I support it as much as possible. I talk about it to the media – I put it in our retail training information to let the salespeople in our dealerships know that there are some very enthusiastic people out there that need to find a good salesperson……..I put CamaroZ28 in our Camaro Legends Tour video…..and I send “Camaro Stuff” out to Jason and Chris for editorial content on the site. I try to meet with Jason once a month or so for dinner –just to talk shop…..he and Chris do a great job with this site. However, there are a LOT of Fbody sites out there….and quite frankly, I have a very full schedule at GM. Furthermore, I travel just about every weekend to an Fbody event…..on my own time …..because I believe that it is important to support our enthusiasts…..moreover, there is no better way to get feedback than talking to enthusiasts ‘one-on-one’ or in small groups. (sorry, but the internet is NOT a great way to get feedback…in my humble opinion, there is a delayed ‘give and take’ – additionally, it is too easy to be misunderstood. And finally, I want to know who it is that is giving me feedback….who they are, what they drive, what they do, etc……..and that is simply not possible on the internet. don’t believe me? Look at some profiles some time….you know who I am, but I haven’t a clue as to who you are….or what your level of expertise is….)
I have not disappeared and have no intentions of doing so…but I only have so much time in a day…and I cannot post all the time. And I do try to get to most of the sites....
Many do not like what I post….perhaps it is because I will not give them a glimpse into the future. --- and I am not going to because I will not put my job in jeopardy. Or perhaps it is because I do not agree with their point of view…..or perhaps it seems that I give way too many excuses as to the ‘whys’ and ‘why nots’ of GM and the other U.S. Manufacturers.
The automobile business is NOT an easy business. Government mandates have complicated this business. Additionally, consumerism, while having its good points also taxes our abilities at times. On top of this, the United States has opened its doors to the world…anyone that wants to build and export cars and trucks to the United States can do so….tariff-free. It is difficult to compete with countries that pay a small fraction for labor….and don’t get me wrong…I have no problems for the most part with the UAW…..the money they are paid is spent in the local economies of where the membership lives and works – and that is a good thing for the U.S. Economy in my opinion.
One of my goals when posting is to educate. For example, my expertise is in automobiles. It is NOT in computers and software. I personally have problems with Windows Millenium – and while there are features that I do not like, I am certainly not going to tell Bill Gates – or those of you who are software guys how to fix Windows Millenium…because it is not my area of expertise.
So….
With all that said, I am still out there – lurking – reading, nodding my head sometimes, shaking it more often than nodding it….. I may sometimes struggle with the urge to strike back when getting flamed...however, it would be unprofessional of me – and further, I believe that much of the anger and frustration that I read is because you genuinely love the Camaro and Firebird….and you are furious that GM apparently walked away from the market…never to return. (Don’t jump to conclusions on that last one………….)
And lastly, do I believe that GM is a great company? You betcha! I have been approached by three different manufacturers to go to work for them…for more money….but I won’t do it. I truly believe in the future at GM. (and there is more to life than just money…..) Do I believe GM does everything right? Hell no! Never has, never will …nor will any other company…that’s just the way things work.
I believe two very important events took place in the recent past that will impact the future very brightly – One…Ron Zarella left. Two, Bob Lutz came back. Mr. Lutz has allowed many creative people to do what they love to do….design, build, manufacture, and market great cars--- but remember, you cannot turn this thing around over night. Moreover, one person cannot change the entire company…it will take thousands of talented people working countless hours to undo some of the damage done by ‘outsiders’ that were not car guys and gals.
OK – ‘nuff said.
Who’s coming to Huntington Beach, CA this weekend – or Keystone Camaros in Pittsburgh next weekend – or SLP day in Columbus the following weekend????