Could Volkswagen become the new "Peoples Automobile" of the US??

Amid the turmoil of the US auto industry, with bailouts and possible bankruptcies. Many fear the failure of the big three automakers: Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors.

With all this doom and gloom in the US automakers from other countries are seeing a chance to really get a foothold in the worlds largest market for cars. Volkswagen, the largest German car manufacturer is making a bold move to secure a position to take advantage of the golden opportunity to fill the void in the case that one of the big 3 fails. They plan to sell 800,000 automobiles annually in the US by 2018. The first step in this process building a new $1 billion production site in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A grounding breaking ceremony is planned for January. They intend to build 150,000 new mid-sized sedans annually, specifically designed for the US market. The new plant is expected to bring 2,000 jobs to the area. Although an independent study from the University of TN predicts it will create an additional 9,000 jobs from suppliers, dealers and other spin off business. Chattanooga was chosen a head of Detroit, Michigan and Huntsville Alabama.

Other foreign auto assembly plants in the southeast include: Honda in Lincoln, Ala.; the plant Kia Motors Corp. is building at West Point, Ga., and Nissan at Smyrna, all about 100 miles away. Tennessee is also corporate home to Nissan North America, which dedicates a new headquarters July 22 in the Nashville suburb of Franklin. Plus, BMW has a plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Mercedes Benz has a plant in Vance, Alabama. The southeast is really becoming the mecca of foreign automakers in the USA.

If the US auto industry fails, could VW take over?

A Brief Look at 2008

Well another year is coming to an end and, as I'm sure as most people are doing, I'm looking back back at the past year. Was it a successful year? Did I accomplish what I set to? You know the usual questions.

A lot has happened this year. On of the greatest things that happened was I became an Uncle in June! Aidan is a cute kid and I can't wait to get him started with a soccer ball. lol

In the past year I have taken on leadership roles in many different places. Last spring I put together a team (FC Blackbird) for the Keystone State games and we won the bronze. From that I continued the team and we play indoor together. We keep ending up in second place, but hopefully in next weeks final we can change that. I'm helping organize Berks United. My outdoor team that's won the championship the past 3 years in a row. I'm still organizing the German group in Lancaster: Netzwerk Central PA. We went through some changes this year, but we are still going strong and we have good group of regulars. All this and that's counting running a business...

This fall marked the 1 year milestone for my business: Blackbird e-Solutions. By that I mean, the first year my only income was generated through my business. The company was founded in early 2005, but it was mostly a part-time gig until March of 2007. The last company I worked for was Google and I stopped working for them in September of 2007. The majority of startups don't make it past the first year. I've said it before, but I know that I owe a lot of that to my good freind Scott.

The past 2 months November and December were the hardest months I've had for business this year. The combination of the economy slowing and the holidays have made things.. well interesting. But, I really believe that this coming year is going to be good in regards to business.

2008 certainly was not without challenges though. Those close to me that know what I've gone through, particularly in the last month know what I mean. I believe that one of me best characteristics is that I'm an eternal optimist. So as challenging as things get I still believe that great things will happen. It is just a matter of figuring out how to make them come true. Plus, what's the old Nietzsche quote? "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger".

This year I've also met a lot of new people. Some of them have turned into good friends others have come and gone. I don't really believe in destiny, but I do believe that people cross paths for reasons and it's up to us to figure out what those reasons are. I think for the most part the people I've met this year have each taught me something. I know I have been bad at keeping in touch with a lot of people. Sorry. This year has absolutely flown by and I have been extremely busy.... I know that's not an excuse, but I will try and do better.

I know I've only hit some of the highlights. A couple others: My youngest sister was married a good friend is now engaged.

Well, we have one more day of 2008, and I'm looking forward to 2009.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and has a great New Years!

Christmas dinner spread

mmmmmmmmmm

Aidan on the way to the Coe Christmas party

The Annual Holiday Elf Me!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Bush The Shoe Dodger - Bush Dodges Shoes Thrown by Iraqi Journalist

This has really become a online viral sensation.

Mellow Yellow

Heading to the dump

Clean out the apartment on king st and heading to the dump.

How much do you love your PDA/Smart Phone/iPhone?

Can you relate to any of these?? I'm afraid to admit that I can. :(

In a September 2009 survey by Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, professionals spill their PDA/cellphone habits. I thot the results are pretty interesting!

87% Bring their PDA to bed.
85% Sneak a peek at it in the middle of the night.
84% Check their PDA just before bed and upon waking up.
80% check email before their morning coffee.
35% Say if forced to choose, their PDA wins over their spouse (!)
85% Say PDA and cellphone enable them to spend more time out of the office.
84% Say technology give them more quality time and flexibility with family.
79% Feel they can be just as productive out of the office as in it.
77% Enjoy life more with their PDA.
62% Love their PDA.

This survey source: Sept. 2008 Sheraton-sponsored Phone Study by StudyLogic LLC.

Blue Team Wins 5-3

I've been pretty bad about posting recently, but I've been extremely busy with work. I've been trying to drum up some new clients. so if you know anyone that needs Search Engine Optimization, Pay Per Click Management or Web Analytics let me know. ;)

Ok, yes that was a shameless work plug.

Anyway, had a game with the Blue team tonight. We normally Thursday nights, but there are so many teams now that they have to have some games on Mondays. We ended up winning 5-3. Woohoo! I scored a goal too! Basically just got in front of the ball as it went in front of the goal bounced of me and went in. ;) But a goal is a goal.

The bad part is I'm only playing really one day a week now. I think I'm already gaining wait. I need to run. I actually ran a couple of days last week, but not enough. We talked about getting together to run. I hope so then I'll have some motivation...

Well, off to bed have to

Oh by the way... yes you do float.