Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Wilkinson, West Virginia

Wilkinson, WV Car Consumer Discussions

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by fintail on Fri Aug 29 19:56:24 PDT 2008

I went to Wilkinson's in Vancouver today - amazing selection of models (and books/magazines). I bought only one - HO scale fintail by Praline. They had the new 1:43 Minichamps 300SE fintail, but it is currently only made in white, and $40+ seemed too much for me. The proprietor was unfamiliar with any diecast models of a W210 E55. However, they had a small selection of vintage diecast, and I think they have a rare Matchbox variant that I don't have in my collection, and I think it might be quite underpriced. Of course I am away from my own collection and reference material, but I might go back tomorrow and see about it.

Re: . [boomchek]

by fintail on Thu Aug 28 18:38:09 PDT 2008

Which dealer do you work at? I might be pretty free at times later tomorrow or Sat. I am here til Sun or Mon. I just looked up Wilkinsons...I'll have to remember that. I see they list a Minichamps fintail...didn't know one was out yet. I'm also looking for a couple books...maybe I'll find a souvenir there.

ford to buy Volt tech from GM?

by 62vetteefp on Mon Aug 04 05:16:45 PDT 2008

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080804/AUTO01/808040378 Ford, GM explore joint engines Ailing automakers look to save costs of developing powertrains Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. are discussing a possible collaboration to develop new engines and other powertrain technologies, according to sources at both companies. The rival automakers are keen to find ways to reduce research-and-development costs even as they struggle to respond to a dramatic shift in consumer demand from big trucks and sport utility vehicles toward smaller, more economical cars and crossovers. A deal could give Ford access to GM's Volt technology -- if it becomes commercially viable. It could also help GM offset cuts to its product development budget. Advertisement GM first approached Ford more than a month ago, two sources familiar with the situation said. GM told Ford that it was willing to discuss a wide range of possible collaborations. GM's overture drew a mixed reaction inside Ford. Some executives felt that previous joint projects had benefited GM more than they had Ford, but others -- including Ford's global product development chief, Derrick Kuzak -- saw it as an opportunity to leverage some of GM's technology while at the same time reducing Ford's own development costs. The matter went to Ford's board of directors last month, which voted to authorize negotiations with GM. Since then, there have been at least three meetings between the two companies involving Barb Samardzich, Ford's head of powertrain operations, and her counterpart at GM. No agreements have been reached, but the talks were characterized as promising. Neither company would confirm or deny the reports. GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said his company does "not comment on speculation about future products or product development." Ford spokesman Said Deep said Ford is concentrating on bringing its fuel-efficient European platforms to North America, but did not rule out working with another manufacturer. "Our focus and greatest opportunity is to create 'One Ford,' and we're doing that leveraging our own global assets," he said. "(But) we're always open to talking to others in the industry. Beyond that, we're not going to comment." Success worth replicating Powertrains are the logical focus of any collaboration, say insiders in both companies. Engines and transmissions represent a huge portion of the development cost of a new car or truck, yet they are not immediately obvious to the consumer in the way that a new navigation system or body design is. Developing an entirely new engine can cost $1 billion. Splitting those costs with another car company can save an automaker $500 million. A new transmission can easily cost $800 million -- or $400 million if the development costs are split. Moreover, the onboard computers that control these components have a lot to do with how they operate, controlling things like shift timing and acceleration. Each automaker could create distinctive driving experiences using the same underlying components. Such a move would not be unprecedented. Ford and GM successfully collaborated on the development of a fuel-saving six-speed transmission that is rapidly becoming the backbone of both companies' powertrain lineup. Kuzak has pointed to the success of that program internally as something worth replicating. Word of a possible collaboration between GM and Ford came as little surprise to analyst Jim Hall of 2953 Analytics LLP. Following the completion of the six-speed transmission tie-up two years ago, he gave GM CEO Rick Wagoner and other senior executives a presentation demonstrating the benefits of working with Ford on other powertrain technologies. He remains convinced that it represents a real opportunity for both companies to control research-and-development costs while accelerating the introduction of new, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. "The transmission deal has worked well for both companies," Hall said. "I told them, 'Don't stop there.'" He said GM is ahead of Ford on four-cylinder engine development, but added that GM could learn a lot from Ford about combining turbo-charging and direct injection -- the technologies behind its EcoBoost technology, which promises to deliver more power and better fuel economy. Electric technology useful Then there is Volt, GM's promised vehicle that runs primarily on electricity. While it remains to be seen whether GM will succeed in bringing it to market, Ford is reportedly keen on getting access to the technology if it does. And Hall said that is something GM should welcome. "I would think that would be part of it and, if GM is smart, they will proliferate Volt technology," he said. Doing so would provide GM with much needed revenue while at the same time reducing its own piece-cost for Volt components. It would be a way for GM to create economies of scale not possible with its own products alone, and would ultimately reduce the cost of such technology for consumers. "Ford has more experience in getting the costs down, and that could really help GM," Hall said

GM battery problems

by larsb on Mon Jun 02 12:59:27 PDT 2008

GM seems to have done a far worse job with their little piddly battery than 'Yota has done: GM battery on the leaky side? With gasoline at $4 a gallon and the Toyota Prius flying out dealership doors, General Motors' mild hybrid vehicles are stuck in neutral because of battery-pack failures. GM had to use 9,000 battery packs to replace leaking ones it recalled, a company spokesman says. GM diverted those batteries from new hybrids for sale this year. GM planned to sell about 27,000 mild hybrid vehicles this year, possibly more given the sharp rise in gasoline prices. But insiders say GM will fall far short of that goal because of problems with its Michigan-based battery maker, Cobasys, a joint venture of Chevron Technology Ventures and Energy Conversion Devices. GM discovered an internal leak in the nickel-metal hydride batteries that Cobasys made for GM's 2007 model hybrids. The leak caused the hybrid powertrain to shut down. The vehicles could still be driven, but not with the hybrid system. The vehicles affected were the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line and Saturn Aura Green Line hybrids. A GM spokesman says the company recalled about 9,000 vehicles to replace battery packs. That slowed the launch of the 2008 Saturn hybrids and the new Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. Custom-built batteries Cobasys' batteries are specifically designed for GM's mild hybrid system. That means GM cannot switch suppliers until it brings out the next generation of mild hybrids in 2010, a source familiar with GM hybrid engineering said. GM initiated the recall in late December when it began receiving reports of battery failures. Cobasys halted production for at least a month while it fixed the problem and revalidated the batteries, a GM source familiar with the mild hybrid program said. "I don't know how many hybrids we could have sold, but we would have had at least 9,000 more batteries for the pipeline," GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson said. "It's not an insignificant number, but it's also part of what happens with a brand-new technology." Repeated calls and e-mails to Cobasys were unreturned. But a person who answered the phone at the company's Springboro, Ohio, plant said production had resumed. And the GM source said the automaker is now getting the batteries it ordered.

Re:Collectibles [fintail]

by boomchek on Thu May 24 12:38:09 PDT 2007

Fintail, the small plastic cars you are refering to are still sold here in Vancouver in Wilkinson's Automobilia. I think HERPA makes them, but there are other brands too. Check out their website, as they have everything listed on it. Toy cars

Re: bad press [62vetteefp]

by 1487 on Fri Mar 23 07:56:13 PDT 2007

I think his name is Tom something or other. Wilkinson maybe? His name is at the bottom of many of GM's press releases.