Off the beaten path

Quotables & Oddities

"You could argue that the parts proliferation issue has, in some ways, moved a lot of people back toward three-step distribution. The average parts store can't afford to buy direct, so they have to buy it from a WD, who buys it from the vendor. That's classic three-step distribution."

TIM PHILLIPS, PRESIDENT, B&B AUTO PARTS, RENTON, WASH.

Awash in trouble

A Fond du Lac, Wis., man decided to stop off for a car wash while fleeing a police officer.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that a reserve officer stopped the driver in the city of Fond du Lac on suspicion of drunken driving.

The driver then fled the scene by driving through a gas station's car wash, almost hitting another police officer in the process.

The suspect was eventually stopped by use of "Stop Sticks," and the 18-year-old was then struck with a taser before being taken into custody.

Apparently, not even a wash and wax can help you pass a breathalyzer test.

Big seats for...big seats

The Detroit Auto Show had some big features for this year's crowd. Well, big seats is more like it.

To accommodate Americans' protruding posteriors, some carmakers are making vehicles' seats more like a comfortable chair with more support. A number of monikers from Lexus to Chrysler to Mercedes-Benz are taking issue with our larger behinds. The 2008 Lexus RX crossover offers a 21-inch wide seat, while the Chrysler 2009 Dodge Journey uses a special foam for better support, according to published reports.

Letters to the editor

Editor's note: The following letter is in response to the November 2007 Bottom Line by Larry Silvey.

Dear Editor, You and I share common roots in this business...Chrysler. You on the factory side and myself on the dealership side, with me serving more than 30 years at a Chrysler parts counter. I read your column as the news was breaking that Chrysler was going to eliminate another 11,000 jobs. Product cycles bring new models regularly, so this isn't really big news. But the long-term viability of Chrysler is now in question. Bob Nardelli was the poorest choice for the chairman of my beloved Chrysler. He has made some good hires, but at the tune of $50 million? Come on...this is the new George Bush culture where all the money goes to the people who need it the least.

You stated in your column that Lee Iacocca was flamboyant. Well, Uncle Lee kept my babies in diapers when, if Chrysler had failed, it would have put the U.S. in a recession with 500,000 employees heading to unemployment. Mr. Iacocca, in fact, made Chrysler solvent. I would give my arm to shake that man's hand today.

John Riccardo, then president of Chrysler, once stated that, "Chrysler will always be a boom or bust company." At the present state of the company, it will be run aground shortly by a guy who wrecked Home Depot and was paid $200 million just to go away.

My point here is that Chrysler is swirling down the drain. And the high position hires will scoop up what is left and walk away fat and happy. It doesn't matter how many cars or trucks are sold...a proud American company will end up in the dustbin of history.

Will it be Nardelli or Press turning out the lights at Chrysler? Or will it be someone else who replaces these men after they have taken the money and run?

Albert (Al) Aleandri Associate Manager CARQUEST, Thornton, Colo.