33Nick

Comment Stream

Filter comments by:

Highest rated Latest comments

Or filter by symbol:

Toyota, GM, Ford: Showing Off Green Cars Amid Economic Gloom

Beyond dissing Toyota and all, when you say: "Rav 4 in the early part of the decade, but it didn't sell well" Beg to differ. Have you seen the resale values of those things? In fact on our blog, electricnick.com, we quote Toyota management finally admitting they couldn't make money on it, not that they couldn't sell it. They built it too well.

The problem with big companies and hybrids, and electric cars, is that the current business model relies too much on maintenance and after sales service. That won't work well, especially with electric cars that have close to no maintenance. Just google RAV4 EV owners and see what they have to say, nothing until the shocks needed changing at 60,000 to 70,000 miles. Not many gas cars can say the same.

These companies need to figure out the business model before they come out with the technology, which, by the by, is already here...
Jan 06 20:16 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
The Rise of Cheap Airlines

JetBlue was nice in the beginning but I will fly Virginia America next. I always fly on Virgin Atlantic because of the great experience I've always had. I think flying the Virgin America makes sense from now on.

That's the beauty of our societies, we can actually chose and vote with our wallets...
Dec 30 12:50 pm |Rating: 0 -1 |Link to Comment |View article
Congress Considers Bailing Out Its Ethanol Mistakes

Typical... Throw in huge amounts of money to make it work. I could think of more important things to do with that money.
Dec 26 11:47 am |Rating: +4 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Bush's Auto Plan Will Test Obama's Union Loyalties

It's really sad that ultimately, beyond the surface, it is yet again another political gang war where people will get hurt. Enough with ideological politics, we need to get a move on now.
Dec 22 20:23 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Mac vs. PC vs. Gold

I was a computer consultant for years and eventually got burnt on Windows (3.0 to XP). What did I do? In 2004 I bought a PowerBook g4 and I am happy to report the darn thing is still not only working very well, but answers all of my needs today, even if I don't consult in the same industry anymore. Yes, Apple has less computers to offer than other companies, what they offer is top notch and just plain old works. What a relief it is to have a machine that works and doesn't get in my business way. Yeah, I smile when I use my laptop again... or what is it now, notebook?
Dec 22 20:21 pm |Rating: +1 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Alternative Energy Storage Needs to Take Baby Steps Before It Can Run

John, what do you think about the 14 U.S. companies coming together to build basic batteries? It would seem like a good idea, at least on paper. It seems it would speed up development and beef up mass manufacturing.
Dec 22 19:58 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Time for America to Fire First Shot in the EV Revolution

I think it boils down to with lemon, make lemonade. True Detroit has a formidable arsenal of SUVs and pickup trucks and "electrifying&quo... them would be a good short term solution. Your point is valid, a few extra hundred pounds don't mean much for heavy vehicles. At least it will give the choice for those who need SUVs and pickups for their businesses to have them around their neighborhood driving, often less than 40 miles a day. It would be a much more affordable daily operation cost for them.

In the meantime, you made me curious to see how lead acid batteries will evolve going into the future. I still think a hybrid battery system makes so much sense. I recently drove AFS Trinity's "150 miles per gallon" hybrid and was greatly impressed both on papers and actually driving it. Mixing ultracapacitators with newer versions of acid-based batteries would make sense. AFS estimates the use of ultracapacitators stretches the life of its lithium pack to 180,000. Sometimes innovation comes from coupling different technologies and not necessarily inventing new ones.

One thing is for sure, we need a choice to rekindle the economy. People are too emotional. You have to look at what makes sense to your driving habit.
Dec 19 14:12 pm |Rating: +1 0 |Link to Comment |View article
What a Difference Seven Months Makes

I've noticed that experts feel they better say anything than nothing. After all they have a chance of being right and bragging rights. We just can't believe everything we hear from them. Crystal balls don't always work and their track record are not stellar.
Dec 17 13:38 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Harley-Davidson Gives Investors Ample Cause to Be Cautious

The problem with HOG is the same that has brought Detroit in the current situation, reaching for low hanging fruits. HOG focuses too much on unnecessary after sales product and not enough on development of its technology. Though it seemed promising when they invited Porsche to work on one of the their old design.
Dec 15 18:55 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Harley-Davidson Gives Investors Ample Cause to Be Cautious

The problem with HOG is the same that has brought Detroit in the current situation, reaching for low hanging fruits. HOG focuses too much on unnecessary after sales product and not enough on development of its technology. Though it seemed promising when they invited Porsche to work on one of the their old design.
Dec 15 18:54 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
UAW Pricing Itself Out of the Auto Market

Why don't they look at France and Renault who somehow managed to become efficient in a country completely overrun by unions? Oh wait, that is also because Carlos Ghosn is in on it, the same person GM refused last year as a major stakeholder. Unions can be made to understand the dead end road they are pushing their subscribers to. What was it I read, only 150,000 unionized auto labor force in Detroit? A force, indeed.
Dec 14 18:15 pm |Rating: +2 -1 |Link to Comment |View article
Why AIG Gets Billions While GM Gets Scorn

Ultimately it shows how the priorities of those at the helm are skewed. Not that GM deserved it more than AIG, both were pitiful and it shows the lack of disconnect politics and big corporations have with reality. This is something I fear has really turned off many people. Giving tax payer's cash for companies hasn't don't much. Ah, but as long as we vote for these people.
Dec 14 17:45 pm |Rating: +1 0 |Link to Comment |View article
How Will Temporary Decline in Oil Prices Impact Energy Sector?

"This is no time to go out and buy a gas-guzzler!"

Surely you are not saying people are gullible to think since gas prices are coming down it is a god sign to go back to our big, bloated cars? Nah. That would be short sightedness and lack of memory. Wait a second, that sounds familiar...
Dec 08 13:16 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
What Will Make Solar ETFs Shine?

Indeed JCordes, you are right. If we don't start somewhere, we will be right back at square one. It's nice to see this industry moving forward, regardless of what naysayers have to say, it is moving forward.

As far as photovoltaic innovations, check out CIGS. A cheap way to manufacturers panels that produce electricity under poor conditions.

You really have to look at it in a practical way and think long term. We already made mistake by quick ROI, let's start looking at longer term investments.
Dec 05 17:21 pm |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article
Chrysler's Nardelli: Another Rough Patch

Good point about the "unimaginable&quo... part. If we saw the real estate crash 2 years before it happened, and have been saying the same for the local car industry for decades, it seems to point at how dysfunctional management of most companies are, as well as how far removed they are from reality.

Could be the high salaries put them in the stratosphere, well above their clients' realities. Could be board members are clueless. Could be stock holders only want quick returns and rarely have long terms plans. Could be too many financial folks and not enough passionate in their products people.

One thing is for sure, things are running out of steam. The way we do business needs to be completely thought over again.
Dec 03 11:39 am |Rating: 0 0 |Link to Comment |View article

33Nick's Comments Stream Stats

43 Comments, 9 , 3
Total Comment Stream rating - = 6

Free E-Newsletters
Wall Street Breakfast - Sample Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News by SA Editor Rachael Granby Bank trio becomes duo. Wells Fargo (WFC) will become the largest U.S. bank by branches with its bid for Wachovia (WB), after Citigroup (C) withdrew from compromise negotiations late yesterday on concerns about the quality of some of Wachovia's assets. Wells Fargo, with a bid valued at $11.4B, expects the purchase to be completed by the end of the year, and denies it will have to absorb assets shakier than originally thought. Government considers next steps. As the financial crisis continues to worsen, the U.S. government is considering two dramatic steps to turn around, or at least slow, the damage: guaranteeing billions of dollars in bank debt and temporarily insuring all U.S. bank deposits. The moves, which would mark the government's most extensive intervention to date, are in discussion stages only. Credit stays frozen. As frozen credit markets refuse to thaw, the cost of default protection on corporate bonds reaches new global records amid investor concerns the credit crisis will trigger corporate failures as companies struggle to finance their businesses. Interbank lending remains limited, and borrowing from the Fed's expanded discount window continued its trend of setting new highs every week, as the total daily average rose to $420.2B vs. $367.8B last week. Oil demand withers. The International Energy Agency warned Friday worldwide oil demand... Email continues...
The Macro View - Sample Seeking Alpha - The Macro View Market Outlook An Outcry from Emerging and Developed Markets Alike by Jonathan O'Shaughnessy Long Term, Financials Look Good by Michael Filloon Round 3 of the Recession: Main Street by Paul Fekula Oil Price Oil Below $75: Increased Chance of OPEC Production Cuts by Money Morning Oil Down 48% from Highs by Bespoke Investment Group Oil & Gas Headed Lower as Economy Strikes Consumers by Michael Filloon Economy Long Term, Financials Look Good by Michael Filloon Round 3 of the Recession: Main Street by Paul Fekula Reality Bites As Stocks Continue To Collapse by The Mole Email continues...
Investing Ideas - Sample Seeking Alpha - Investing Ideas Cramer's Picks Farewell Financial Bear Raids - Cramer's Mad Money (10/14/08) by SA Editor Joan Wickham Better Picks - Cramer's Lightning Round (10/14/08) by SA Editor Joan Wickham Perhaps Industrials... Cramer's Stop Trading! (10/14/08) by SA Editor Joan Wickham Long Ideas Utilities Beginning to Generate Interest for Longs by Joe Kunkle The Long Case for Encore Capital by Value Investor Insight 2009: The Year of the Channel for SaaS Vendors? by Jeff Kaplan Two Global Infrastructure Investment Opportunities in ETFs by Investment U Market Behaves Sanely - Fast Money Recap (10/14/08) by SA Editor Joan Wickham Short Ideas Why Short Sellers Are the Heroes of Wall Street by Investment U Salesforce.com: Pricey and Coming Down Fast by Charlie Bottle Google: 3Q Results Reveal Chinks in the Armor by Mark Krieger Email continues...
Jim Cramer's Picks -
Sample

Better Choices - Cramer's Lightning Round (10/15/08)

by SA Editor Rachael Granby

Stocks discussed in the lightning round session of Jim Cramers Mad Money TV program,
Wednesday, October 15.

Bullish Calls:

Continental Resources (CLR) -- "This is a remarkable decline. All of the high quality ones are down so much, I can't go against it. This is where you pull the trigger.
3M (MMM) -- The moment this stock starts yielding 5%, I'm a buyer. Until then, keep your powder dry.

Bearish Calls:

Computer Sciences (CSC) -- This is a company that was going to be bought, but they passed up the chance. Now I don't want to buy it."
Annaly Mortgage (NLY) -- I think this is a business model that needs to borrow money. Definitively do not buy."
Northrop Grumman (NOC) -- You can't own the defense stocks right now. If I had to own one, I'd look at Lockheed Martin (LMT) with its good dividend.
Email continues...
Stocks & Sectors - Sample Seeking Alpha - Stocks & Sectors Internet eBay: Q3 Looks Good but Q4 Guidance Disappoints by Greg Feirman Is Google Feeling Lucky? by Sam Gustin Why Today Could Suck for Tech by Kevin Maney Media A Triple Financial Whammy Afflicts Newspapers by Ken Doctor Three Years On, Buying MySpace Looks Like One of Murdoch's Smartest Bets by Erick Schonfeld How Will Arbitron Fare in This Market? by Sreeni Meka Telecom Ten Ways to Invest in Louisiana by Stockerblog Earnings Preview: Electro-Optical Engineering by theflyonthewall.com Shared Docks Via WiFi All the Rage by Dean Bubley Financial Switzerland Strengthens Its Banks; Short Interest Remains Low by Jessica Johnson Reality Bites As Stocks Continue To Collapse by The Mole LIBOR Shows Worst Is Yet to Come for Credit Markets by Keith Fitz-Gerald Email continues...
Global Markets - Sample Seeking Alpha - Global Markets China An Outcry from Emerging and Developed Markets Alike by Jonathan O'Shaughnessy USANA Health Sciences Inc. Q3 2008 Earnings Call Transcript Perfect World Announces Share Repurchase Program by Trader Mark China: Hot Money Inflows Down, Nervousness Up by Michael Pettis India Indian Economy Has Much to Cheer About by Equitymaster India: RBI Cuts Cash Reserve Ratio by Equitymaster India: Markets Continue Downward by Equitymaster Japan Sanyo Enters Thin-Film Market, Goes Up Against Sharp by Greentech Media Asia Four International Dividend Stocks to Watch by David Hunkar Eastern Europe Reality Bites As Stocks Continue To Collapse by The Mole Email continues...
Alternative Energy Investing - Sample Seeking Alpha - Alternative Energy Alternative Energy Seven Stocks for an Impending Apocalypse by H.J. Huneycutt Solar Shares Under Pressure From Credit Crunch and Pricing by Eric Savitz Trina Solar Looks Good, Though Market Yawns by Trader Mark The Electric Car Market: Wise Energy Use Stocks by Tom Konrad Investing in the Power of the Sea
ETF Daily - Sample Seeking Alpha - ETF Daily Sector ETFs Too Early To Buy Homebuilders ETF by Larry MacDonald Utilities Beginning to Generate Interest for Longs by Joe Kunkle Two Global Infrastructure Investment Opportunities in ETFs by Investment U New ETFs First Trust Launches Infrastructure ETF with Global Reach by Index Universe Overview and Analysis of the Global Generic Drug Industry by Mike Havrilla Emerging Market ETFs Brazil Is the Best of BRIC by Carl T. Delfeld Playing the Market in Difficult Times by Jason Hamlin
The Daily Dispatch - Sample Seeking Alpha - Daily Dispatch Wall Street Breakfast Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News by SA Editor Rachael Granby US Market An Outcry from Emerging and Developed Markets Alike by Jonathan O'Shaughnessy Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News by SA Editor Rachael Granby Housing & Real Estate Too Early To Buy Homebuilders ETF by Larry MacDonald Another 'Root Cause' That Isn't: Tumbling Home Prices by Tim Iacono Transcripts TrueBlue, Inc. Q3 2008 Earnings Call Transcript Polycom, Inc. Q3 2008 Earnings Call Transcript ETF Too Early To Buy Homebuilders ETF by Larry MacDonald
We don't spam