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A Poem by Rohit Daniel
Let’s go home and live night and day
Live like you knew romance
Sing a new song at the play
We love and we laugh and we play
We grow and we pray and we hold
All our hands in this great romance.
Let’s live like we never grow old
And love like we were never told.
And thank you God for all that we know
And coming and letting us go
And cleaning the mess as we grow
And loving the world like we know
And singing the song till we glow
Let’s run in the way we’ve known
Like we never knew it at all
So come on and drop all the pain
Come on and live again
And thank God all the way
For letting us live life again
Like we never knew the back of our hand
Let’s kiss the stars good night
And wave to the sun
Let’s live as we laugh and we play
In this place called home
A Poem by Rohit Daniel
GM:
1/24/2023
GM, or General Motors, was founded in 1909 by William Durant. In its history, GM experienced rapid growth as it absorbed companies such as Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Gabrowsky Motor Company (GMC). However, at the start of the 1980s, GM experienced a lot of difficulties: foreign automakers were entering GM’s home market and succeeding. There was brief success for GM after 2004. However, this success subsided quickly, making one ask the question: why did GM fail? In the 1980s-2000s, GM struggled against foreign competition. Such competition took off in the 1970s, when GM struggled with the oil crisis. To combat this crisis, and to adhere to new government regulations, GM tried to reengineer its vehicles. However, foreign automakers already claimed this spot. This competition was not new to GM: European and Japanese automakers had already carved out a place for them in GM’s domestic market. It was due to recent increases in the price of oil that GM struggled in its home market. Furthermore, GM lacked a competitive brand, one that offered the same quality as its rivals.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "General Motors". Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Dec. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/topic/General-Motors-Corporation. Accessed 24 January 2023.
Rolls-Royce:
1/21/2023
Rolls-Royce is an iconic UK manufacturer of luxury cars as well as a desired manufacturer of aircraft engines. In its long history, Rolls-Royce has survived many turbulent events. At the start, Rolls-Royce was not a single company. They were two companies: an electrical and manufacturing company owned by Henry Royce and a car dealership owned by Charles Rolls. Charles Rolls was interested in the Royce 10 and offered Royce a deal: he would sell as many of Royce’s cars as he could under the name Rolls-Royce. Thus, Rolls-Royce was born as a luxury car manufacturer. Rolls-Royce soon produced the popular six cylinder 40/50 horsepower car. With this rise in popularity, Rolls-Royce became a well-known name in the automotive industry. Due to this success, Rolls-Royce acquired the British car manufacturer Bentley, and dismantled Bentley. Bentley was a competitor with Rolls, and once acquired, was used as a sporty nameplate for all Rolls cars. With the onset of WW1, Charles Rolls encouraged the company to differentiate into airplane manufacturing. The company at first hesitant, then jumped on the chance to provide airplane engines for the war effort. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce became very successful, so successful that they established a factory in the US to meet demand. Rolls-Royce had to close down this plant due to the Great Depression. However, the company was still able to maintain itself until the Second World War, when Rolls-Royce engines were used for aviation. After the Second World War, Rolls-Royce struggled to maintain itself. Rolls automobiles fit in a too niche market to expand, while the airplane engine business provided razor thin margins. In the 1960’s, Rolls-Royce would provide the engine for the Lockheed TriStar L-1011 in the airplane engine market. This almost fell through, until the British government intervened for Rolls-Royce. In the coming decades, Rolls-Royce would be nationalized, restructured and have its businesses divided. Currently, Rolls-Royce has two businesses: a premium automobile manufacturer and premium engine manufacturer. Rolls-Royce established itself as a well known brand. Currently Rolls-Royce is an accomplished brand in both the automotive and airplane and marine engine market.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
“History of Rolls-Royce.” https://www.rolls-royceandbentley.co.uk/history-of-rolls-royce.html
Weiss, Stanley I. and Amir, Amir R.. "Rolls-Royce PLC". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Jan. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rolls-Royce-PLC. Accessed 21 January 2023.
GMC
1/18/2023
GMC was first founded in 1902 by Max Grabowsky and called the Max Grabowsky Motor Vehicle Company. This company was renamed Rapid City Motors and established a name for itself. Rapid City Motors created reliable trucks for the market. They even established records: Climbing Pike’s Peak and crossing the country in 21 days. However, as time went on, General Motors came to fully own Rapid City Motors in 1948 and changed the name to General Motors Truck Company. GMC established itself as a reliable truck manufacturer. However, GMC soon found itself being compared unfavorably to another GM staple: the Chevrolet division. Over the decades, GMC and Chevrolet found themselves sharing many vehicle types. Many GMC vehicles marketed themselves as more offroad, upscale versions of their Chevrolet counterparts. Recently, GMC has diversified itself into a high end light duty truck manufacturer, while Chevy caters to the more casual truck market. Only time will tell if GM maintains this distinction.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Almond, Jordan. “Are GMC and Chevrolet the Same Manufacturer”. MotorBiscuit. April 26 2021 https://www.motorbiscuit.com/gmc-chevrolet-same-manufacturer/
Silverado:
1/17/2023
As a company, Chevrolet has been in the truck manufacturing business for over eight decades. During these years, Chevrolet gained a vast experience in building trucks. Over the years, Chevrolet obtained vast amounts of knowledge concerning truck manufacturing. At the end of the Chevy C/K line, Chevrolet decided to introduce a new vehicle, the Chevy Silverado. The Chevrolet Silverado was first introduced in 1999. This was the first generation of Silverado trucks, and was very similar to the Chevrolet Suburban. The initial sales were met with success, and the Silverado name took off. Each generation of the Silverado iterated on the past, adding new features, such as satellite radio and improved suspension, to the formula. The Silverado used the Vortec engine, and created an image of a reliable light duty truck. With this truck, GM created a goldmine, they just don’t know how to market that success. Chevrolet has created a successful nameplate for the light duty truck market, now they must internationalize that success.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Riley, Evan. “History of Chevy Silverado”. CarLifeNation. November 15th 2020. https://carlifenation.com/history-of-the-chevy-silverado/
What’s in a name: Escalade?
1/14/2023
The Cadillac Escalade was an attempt by GM to enter the luxury SUV market. This was an attempt to fight off competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the same market. So, Cadillac set out to introduce a new vehicle in its line up, the Cadillac Escalade. The first Cadillac Escalade was nothing special: a GMC Yukon with a Cadillac badge on it. It was so similar to the GMC Yukon that Cadillac discontinued the first Escalade after 1 year. However, Cadillac soon created the 2nd generation of Escalade and improved sales. Over the years the Escalade has obtain a reputation as a reliable and disposable vacation SUV. If Cadillac wants to change this, then they need to introduce an impressive Escalade, one that will leave a permanent mark on the public.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Golden, Conner. Tailer, A. Bring. “The Cadillac Escalade: History, Generations and Specifications.” MotorTrend. Aug 4 2020 https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/cadillac-escalade-history-generations-specifications/
Smith, John. “Cadillac Escalade: How It Came To Be.” Car And Driver. April 30th, 2022 https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a39817993/cadillac-escalade-development-story/
Suburban:
1/13/2023
The Chevrolet Suburban is an outstanding transportation vehicle. However, it does lack in a key safety feature. The Suburban has the ability to sense vehicles around itself, and needs the ability to automatically reduce or increase its speed. A Lexus has a RADAR, a Suburban also has a RADAR. RADAR in a Lexus not only senses the vehicles around it, but also controls the speed of the person who is driving the Lexus. A Suburban has a RADAR that senses the vehicles around it, but it cannot control the speed of the person who is driving the Suburban.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Toyota Highlander
1/6/2023
Over 20 years ago, Toyota introduced the world to a new midsized utility vehicle: the Toyota Highlander. The Toyota Highlander became an instant success, providing more comfort and speed compared to its competitors. Toyota accomplished this feat by using the chassis of the Toyota Camry for the Highlander. This chassis provided comfort and durability. In the next two decades, Toyota added a V6 engine, V4 engine and hybrid powered Highlander to its offerings. Recently, Toyota increased the reliability of its chassis and engine. Overall, the Highlander has maintained its popularity by providing a light, reliable and sporty utility vehicle.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Lin, Kenny. “Toyota Highlander History: A Closer Look at the Ever-Evolving Ute”. MotorTrend, May 15, 2019 https://www.motortrend.com/features/toyota-highlander-history-photo-gallery/
Teleky, Steven. “A History of the Toyota Highlander SUV”. Motor Biscuit, December 20, 2022 https://www.motorbiscuit.com/history-of-toyota-highlander-suv/
The Future Of Chevrolet
1/5/2023
In 1936 Chevrolet introduced the Chevy Suburban, a new vehicle to its line up. The Suburban was instantly liked due to its spacious body design. Chevrolet even used a truck platform to add durability. At the time of introduction, the Suburban provided a durable strong transit vehicle. Suburban is a heavy duty vehicle meant to drive in the snow. In an instant Chevrolet created one of the most popular names in automotive history. Newer iterations of the suburban have introduced powerful engines, more comfort features, and more space to carry belongings. With the success of Chevrolet’s Suburban, Chevrolet should now consider building more eco-friendly cars. The Suburban has established itself as a household vehicle for decades. Now Chevrolet will know the perfect balance between creating a heavy-duty eco-friendly car. With the knowledge of creating the Suburban, Chevrolet will now know the right balance between eco-friendly and comfortable and heavy-duty, to create the right eco-friendly comfortable and heavy duty vehicle.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Riley, Evan. “A Brief History of the Chevy Suburban”. Auto Influence, January 22 2021 https://www.motor1.com/news/449422/chevrolet-suburban-generation-evolution-renderings/
Berk, Bret. “The Social History of the Chevrolet Suburban”. Car And Driver, Feb 16 2018 https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a18356957/the-social-history-of-the-chevrolet-suburban/
Jones, Peter. “Chevrolet Suburban In Snow and Winter Driving? (Explained)”. Motor And Wheels, April 26 2021 https://motorandwheels.com/chevrolet-suburban-in-snow-winter/
The Chevrolet Impala a Classic?
1/5/2023
The Chevy Impala was first revealed in the Motorama show of 1958, and instantly became popular. The Chevrolet Impala solidified its position in the Chevrolet line up as a classy, sporty and attractive vehicle. Soon, Chevrolet offered the Impala in a variety of packages: sedan, coupe, SS and convertible to name a few. However, as the 1970’s arrived, so to did a new Impala. OPEC’s oil embargo forced GM to produce economy cars for the first time in a long time. As a result, the Impala became an entry level car for Chevrolet. In the year 1986 Chevrolet dropped the Impala name, only to return it in 1992. This time, the Impala was a powerful sedan. Through out its life, the Chevrolet Impala was many cars: from a sporty coup to an entry level 4 seater, the Impala name was used to sell all types of cars. However, with this broad spectrum of Impala types, there was no defining identity for the Car. The Impala could be anything and was anything that would sell and lost its unique characteristics. For a car to standout, it must show what it truly defines, not blend in with the crowd.
Thank you,
Rohit Daniel
Sources:
Tate, Robert. “A Brief History of the Chevrolet Impala”. MotorCities, January 9th 2019 https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/a-brief-history-of-the-chevrolet-impala
Gold, Aaron. “The Chevrolet Impala: History, Generations, Specifications”. MotorTrend, Jun 29 2020 https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/chevrolet-impala-history-generations-specifications/
Norman, Kenny. “A Look Back At The Evolution Of The Chevy Impala”. HotCars, Aug 5 2021.https://www.hotcars.com/a-look-back-at-the-evolution-of-the-chevy-impala/