Go Toyota!

So Toyota is set to take over as the #3 US automaker after GM and Ford in 2009. Right now, the numbers looks like this:

"Through November 2004, GM's total U.S. market share was 27.5 percent, Ford 19.7 percent, DaimlerChrysler 14.3 percent and Toyota 12.2 percent."

As I read the headline to this article, I was thinking "Hmmm, Honda, maybe Volkswagon, who else is the top 3?" before coming to the quote about GM and Ford taking up about 50% of the US market share. I realized that I've lived in the city too long and my image of car ownership is skewed quite a bit. Looking back at living in Jackson, there was 1 Volkswagon in town (a green Golf) and about 5 Hondas (including mine). There were a whole lot of big pickups (and not Toyota pickups mind you), Grand Ams, Lincoln Towncars, Ford Escorts, and minivans. I'd love to see a breakdown by state but I'm sure the Heartland's traditional buying patterns is keeping Ford and GM up there.

As you may know, I like to sleep. Unbeknownst to me, I downgraded when moving from Minneapolis to Boston based on this list of "Best Places to Sleep". So basically in Minneapolis I would be more rested and happier - good to know. Lo siento to the NY and SF crowd for the crappy sleep you've been getting.

Check out your neighborhood profile - giving statistical information by zip code. It's fun :)

For those of you who do not know the whole story on Theo Epstein, the youngest GM in baseball, read this profile. It gives his biographical information/background which is interesting...

Word of the day: peccadillos - a small sin or fault