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Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Toyota Troubles

Toyota suspends sales of 8 models in recall -
FROM: AUTOMOTIVE NEWS


Kathy Jackson


Automotive News
January 26, 2010 - 6:27 pm EST

LOS ANGELES – Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. is suspending the sales of the eight vehicles that it recalled last week for sticking accelerator pedals.

Toyota last week recalled 2.3 million vehicles, citing a problem caused by a pedal mechanism. Pedals jammed by floormats were the focus in the 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles that Toyota recalled last fall for unintended acceleration.

“Helping ensure the safety of our customers and restoring confidence in Toyota are very important to our company,” Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter said in a statement. “This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized.”

Production will be halted for the week of Feb. 1 at plants that make the eight models involved in the recall. Two are in Indiana, with one each in Texas, Kentucky and Canada.

The affected vehicles are the 2009-10 RAV4, Corolla and Matrix; 2005-10 Avalon; 2007-10 Camry; 2010 Highlander, 2007-10 Tundra and 2008-10 Sequoia.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Monday, January 25, 2010

PLan For Success in 2010

By:  Lawrence S. Searcy, Jr.

I had the pleasure recently of listening to Rapides Parish Sheriff Chuck Wagner give a speech to a group of sales professionals about his first two years in office. He emphasized his business background and how his training in business planning helped him transition into his leadership role at the Sheriff’s department. When Sheriff Wagner was elected, the sheriff’s office did not have a written business plan. One of his first tasks was to assess the department’s needs and then write a business plan to address those needs. He used his professional sales experience to set measurable goals for his department. He then measured his successes and failures throughout the year according to the benchmarks that he set. Finally, at the end of the year, he reviewed the plan for the past year and proposed a new one for the coming year.


Every business, regardless of whether it is a governmental agency, private enterprise or non-profit organization, needs to follow the fundamental rule that Sheriff Wagner adopted. Make a plan. Follow the plan. Measure the success and failure according to the plan, and modify the plan as needed.

Make a plan:

Write your plan down. An unwritten plan is no plan at all.

When I was practicing law, I was measured by the number of billable hours that I billed to clients each month and for the year. In the car business, we measure monthly vehicle sales, repair orders written for service and parts sales. Regardless of what is being measured, the fundamentals are the same. You must know what measurements are critical to your success and how you plan to achieve the goals. The only way to do this is to write it down as a constant reminder.

By now, your 2010 business plan should already be in place. If not, it is not too late to start. Begin by looking at the past year, examining the past and current economic environment and setting realistic goals for success based on those observations. While the goal should be achievable, it should not be easy. Objectives should be set for short and long measurement. Start first with weekly and monthly benchmarks. Compare these at the end of each month to determine if you are on track for yearly goals. If not, then modify the plan as needed to reach new and achievable goals.

Follow the Plan:

Your plan is a long-term projection measured in short-term segments. While it can be modified, the fundamentals should be followed throughout the year. Think of your strategic plan like a roadmap. While you may use different roads to get to a final destination, the result is always the same – you arrive at the destination. When analyzing your plan throughout the year, it is ok to modify the way you get to the final result but the original outcome should remain the same. The final outcome should only be changed when it is clear that the original forecast is impossible to achieve. When that becomes necessary, amend the plan by re-forecasting for the remainder of the year. Do the same thing you did in the beginning of the year by setting realistic estimates you can achieve by the end of the year.

Measure success, failure and modify:

A business plan means nothing if the results are not measured. Again, like a roadmap, you cannot know where you are going without knowing where you are during the journey. Every day, week, and month, all measurements need to be reviewed to determine if the plan is on target. In many cases the plan may need to be modified because the goals are either too easy or unrealistic. If success comes too easily, then the original goals were not challenging enough and they need to be strengthened. If your numbers fall short, then the original expectation may not have been based on realistic economic conditions and should be scaled back.

Forecast for success and write a plan to meet your goals. Do this and 2010 will be a successful and profitable year.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Walker BMW Specials January 2010


Proper Alignment

By:  Tim Nortier
Service Manager, Walker Automotive

As part of our continuous efforts to improve our service, Walker Automotive has recently invested in a significant upgrade to our alignment equipment. This new HUNTER WinAlignment equipment and software exceeds the requirements of all major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mitsubishi and General Motors vehicles. Further, as an authorized dealer for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, only Walker Automotive has access to the customized software required for proper wheel alignment of all BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.


Out of alignment conditions occur when vehicle suspension and steering systems are not operating at their desired angles. On an older vehicle this condition is most often caused by wear of suspension components (shocks, struts, springs, ball joints, etc.) Out of alignment can also be the result of impact with a pothole or curb, or a change in vehicle ride height (lowered or raised) on any vehicle, regardless of age.

Reduced Tire Wear:

Incorrect alignment settings will usually result in more rapid tire wear. Alignment should be checked whenever new tires or suspension components are installed, anytime unusual tire wear patterns appear and after the vehicle has encountered a major road hazard or curb impact. Over the years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tire life.

Think of it this way - Research indicates the average vehicle is driven about 12,000 miles per year. A vehicle with toe alignment just 0.34 degrees (or just 0.17 inches) out of specification has dragged its tires sideways for more than 68 miles by the end of the year!

Better Gas Mileage:

Gas mileage increases as rolling resistance decreases. Proper alignment sets all four wheels parallel to the road surface, which, along with proper tire inflation, reduces rolling resistance.

Improved Handling:

Does your vehicle pull to one side? Does the steering wheel vibrate? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your vehicle traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by an alignment. With all the system components aligned correctly, road shock is more evenly distributed for a smoother ride.

Safer Driving:

A suspension system inspection is part of our alignment procedure. This allows us to spot worn parts before they cause costly problems. Remember, maintenance is always less expensive than repair.

How often should I have my vehicle aligned?

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation as noted in your owner’s manual, but as a general rule, have your vehicle’s tires rotated at least every 10,000 miles and alignment checked at least once per year.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Walker Supports Susan G. Komen For The Cure in Alexandria

By:  Lawrence S. Searcy, Jr.

Walker Automotive is excited to be a part of the newest expansion chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. The Northeast-Central Louisiana Chapter of Susan G. Komen For The Cure® announced recently its expansion into the Central Louisiana community. The affiliate expansion will add the parishes of Vernon, Rapides, Grant, Avoyelles, LaSalle, Catahoula, and Concordia parishes. The expansion was officially announced at a celebration on January 5, 2010, at the River Oaks Arts Center in Downtown Alexandria.

More than twenty-five years ago, Susan G. Komen for the Cure started the breast cancer movement. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the global leader in the fight against breast cancer through the funding of innovative research and community-based health programs. Collectively, the local Komen affiliates are dedicated to ending breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find cures.

As part of the local expansion, Alexandria will host Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® event September 18, 2010. The race series helps raise money for local communities to put back into finding a cure and helping breast cancer patients locally. This year, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the race.

Around the world local races raise money for local communities’ initiatives to help fight and cure breast cancer. Participants can run or walk the 5K route or even Sleep In for the Cure®. There is also a special race and activities for kids 12 and under.

Up to 75 percent of the money raised by the Alexandria Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure stays in the Central Louisiana area to fund screening, treatment and education programs. The remaining dollars support the national Komen initiatives. For more information or to volunteer, contact Lawrence S. Searcy, Jr. at 318-445-6421.