Sales Downshift at Heavy Truck Makers – WSJ

by dldamore

Sales Downshift at Heavy Truck Makers – WSJ:

“Heavy-duty truck orders plunged nearly 37% in December from the same month last year, according to data compiled by industry research firm FTR. Some carriers say they are waiting to see how much consumers spend over the holidays before committing to new vehicles, which can cost more than $150,000 each.”

*Clouds are starting to form. The most recent recession ended in June 2009. This expansion could continue for a few more years before a recession arrives. This isn’t the first negative indicator and it will not be the last.  

The Auto Industry Won’t Create The Future — Backchannel — Medium

by dldamore

The Auto Industry Won’t Create The Future — Backchannel — Medium:

“It’s true that Apple, Google, Uber and the many new upstarts working on the future of cars know nothing about the car business as practiced the last one hundred and seven years. The key here is that the future of the car business is going to be dramatically different than the past.”

*The new disruptors are coming and the incumbents will be in trouble if they can’t learn and change fast enough to survive.

Venture Capital and the Internet’s Impact – Stratechery by Ben Thompson

by dldamore

Venture Capital and the Internet’s Impact – Stratechery by Ben Thompson:

“The new competition amongst startups is about scaling and marketing and sales, all of which are expensive and require expenditures months or years ahead of expected profits, which is exactly what venture capital makes possible.”

*This is part of why there are huge valuations on seemingly profitless startups. VC investments are like rocket fuel. Not all crafts (investements/startups …) will make escape velocity and have a successful trip.

Google’s Cute Cars And The Ugly End Of Driving – BuzzFeed News

by dldamore

Google’s Cute Cars And The Ugly End Of Driving – BuzzFeed News:

“Self-driving cars — especially if they are operated as fleets and you only use one when you need it, summoning it Uber-style — would mean we could have fewer vehicles per person, less traffic congestion, less pollution, far fewer vehicles produced per year (thus lowering the environmental impact of production), and, best of all, safer streets.”

*Self-driving cars are poised to usher in massive changes to society.