Automotive by Cody Enterprise

Cody Enterprise

THURSDAY, June 11, 2015

Life’s a drag

Pam Peterson does a burnout in her 1989 Mustang at the start of a race. She has been drag racing for 12 years. (Courtesy photos)

Visit to dragstrip leads Peterson to successful racing career By AMBER PEABODY Special sections editor When Pam Peterson and her husband Brian were first married, he took her to a drag race. Watching the cars roar down the track, she knew it was something she wanted to try at least once in her lifetime. In 2002 she bought a 1997 Dodge Neon to be a show car and grew interested in street racing. The following year a drag strip was build in Acton, Mont., and she decided to give it a try. “I wanted to see what my car could do so I ended up taking it to Acton,” she said. “I was surprised with how fast the car was. Things ballooned from there. Now we work six days a week so we can race. It’s eat, sleep, race.” She gradually began learning the ins and outs of racing, which isn’t as easy as it seems (See related story.). “Drag racing is so much a mental game it’s not even funny,” she said. “There’s a 1,000 ways to win or lose a drag race and you don’t even know all the ways to lose until they’ve happened to you.” After a few years she decided to

convert the Neon to a complete race car. “I was a lot more successful when I made it a full drag racing car,” she said. “Then you don’t have to think about things like needing the car to go to work with the next day. You can give it your all.” Competing in the heads up class (both cars leave at the same time and the first across the finish line wins), her front-wheel car could run a nine second quarter mile at 148 mph. “You’re going so fast it’s very much an adrenaline rush,” she said. “It’s just 10 seconds and you think you’d remember everything, but I’d get back to the pits and couldn’t remember a thing. On race day it’s yourself against the other car and you have tunnel vision.” That’s why they have software to log the run. “It will let you know if you didn’t have your foot all the way to the floor and anything else you need to know,” she said. “It always tells on me.” She raced in the class for nine years, chasing races all across the country including 15 tracks on the west side of U.S.

Pam Peterson has won three “Wally” trophies throughout her career. It is the highest prize given in drag racing. “You’re always pushing,” she said. “My car was nationally known by the end of my racing with it. At one time it was the fastest stock chassis Dodge Neon.”

Pushing a car to the limit doesn’t come without consequences though. She blew up at least one engine each season. Even when the car was running great there were still things that needed worked on constantly. “Between runs it was frantic,” she said. “You’d be pulling spark plugs and checking data logs. There’s so much that goes on.” Three years ago she made her debut in rear-wheel drive races when she was asked to drive someone else’s car. “Rear-wheel drive cars handle better at those fast speeds,” she said. “With a front-wheel car you’re always fighting it and it’s physically exhausting.” In her current races, the focus is more on consistency than all out speed. At each race, cars take two qualifying passes to get dialed in. “When racing starts you have to run as close to that number as possible without going too fast,” she said. “The car that runs closest to that number and has a good reaction time is always going to win. You want a consistent car.” Following the first round half

the cars will be eliminated. There’s usually three to four rounds with as many as six depending on how many cars are entered. “In bracket racing you can bring out any car whether its grandma’s car or whatever,” she said. “My car is a 10-second car so if I’m racing a 13-second car they get a head start and ideally you should finish at the same time.” After two years of racing in rearwheel, she bought an ’89 Mustang and built it from ground up in four and a half months. “I wouldn’t recommend that to anyone,” she said. “You’re working on it every waking moment.” Even though she’s raced the car for a year, Peterson is still trying to learn the best way to drive the car. “My reaction times were all over the place last season because I was trying different approaches,” she said. “With a new car every time you change something it might help or hurt depending if it’s a good change or bad change.” Recently she switched to alcohol injection, which seems to be a good Please see PETERSON, page C-3

Wolff’s restorations like ‘high performance art’ By AMBER PEABODY Special sections editor When he was 15, Bruce Wolff restored his first car – a 1953 Ford. He’s come along way since that first restoration, having fixed up 10 vehicles and acquired a lifetime of skills and knowledge. “In 1966 I fixed up the 1953 Ford,” he said. “I didn’t have much money then, but it turned out all right. I like seeing something that’s a pile junk become a beautiful car when it’s done.” Other projects have included a 1941 Buick, 1954 Skyline, 1956 Dodge and 1951 Ford truck. He also redid a 1994 Plymouth Laser for his daughter’s high school car and a 1966 Mustang for his son’s. When each is finished, he said they’re more impressive than the day they rolled off the assembly line. “I think they need to be driven and used,” Wolff said. “I usually sell them so I have money for my project, but it’s not about making money for me. I just enjoy the hobby.” He still owns two of his restoration projects though – a 1936 and ’57 Chevy. He purchased the ’36 back in 1983 and turned it into a street rod. It has a Chevy 350 V8 he put in just last year, along with modern drivetrain suspension. Wolff did all the work on the car excluding the interior and engine. He purchased the ’57 Chevy in 1995 and also converted it into a street rod with a Chevy 454 big block. “It was a basket case when I bought it,” he said. “It was in pieces. It needed a lot of body work and even a few bullet holes in it.” The car required extensive body work. “I replaced all floors in the

It was a basket case when I bought it. It was in pieces. It needed a lot of body work and even had a few bullet holes in it. Bruce Wolff, restored 1957 Chevy front,” he said. “I had to cut out the rusted pieces and weld new ones on.” He also lowered the front end on the ’57, giving the street rod an aggressive, sleeker appearance. Neither car had the original transmission, which is why he decided to make updates and add the more powerful engines. Both also have air conditioning so they’re more comfortable to drive in the summer. “The ’57 is probably my favorite,” he said. “I’ve driven it all over. It’s the most fun to drive and has a lot of power.” Wolff has learned mostly by doing, including painting his cars. “I painted that first car when I was 15,” he said. “I pulled it out in the driveway on a non windy day. I’d worked at my uncle’s farm spray painting some of his buildings so I knew how to use the spray gun.” That first paint job was less

photo by AMBER PEABODY

Bruce Wolff transformed this 1957 Chevy into a street rod. The lowered front end and bright red paint give the car an aggressive, sleek look. than perfect, but it wasn’t terrible. Gradually with more practice and some auto body classes in Rapid City, S.D., and later at Laramie County Community College he improved his skills. “You have to stay on top of what’s out there because there’s it so many products and different kinds of paint,” he said. Both the ’36 and ’57 are a testament to how far his painting skills have come, looking more like high

performance works of art than just old cars. Wolff could definitely be considered a fine artist in his medium. “Red is my favorite color for hot rods,” he said. Along with his own vehicles he’s also done paint and body jobs for a handful of other car owners. His current project is a 1967 Ford Ranchero, and he also has a ’33 Ford truck waiting in the wings.

“It’s somewhat rare with big 390 engine,” Wolff said of the Ranchero. “It’s different and that’s what attracted me to it when I bought it.” Wolff usually finds his projects through word of mouth. “The guy I bought the 1957 from had it sitting on his property and wanted it gone so I got it for $400,” he said. “A guy in Wheatland asked me to come look at the

Please see WOLFF, page C-2

C-2 - Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015

Automotive

photos by AMBER PEABODY

This 454 big block engine is in Wolff’s 1957 Chevy. The car didn’t have the original engine when he purchased it so he decided to put in a modern one for more power.

Bruce Wolff purchased this 1936 Chevy in the early ’80s. He turned it into a street rod and did the paint job himself.

A 1967 Ranchero is Wolff’s latest restoration project. He also has a ’33 Ford truck waiting in the wings.

WOLFF

Ranchero and I got if for a reasonable price.” On the Ranchero, he’s had the engine and transmission rebuilt, has redone the trim and rechromed the bumpers. He also patched the rusted out areas in the floors. Next he plans to rebuild the front suspension, put all new compression in and redo the brakes. Then he’ll paint the inner panels and undercoat before he starts most of the body work. “I enjoy doing the body

(from page C-1)

work the most,” he said. Because the ’67 Ranchero is fairly uncommon, he’s had difficulty finding replacement parts and has spent a lot of time scouring the internet. He recently found some used quarter panels at a junk yard in Colorado. “The panels have had body work done, but they didn’t do a good job so they need to be replaced,” he said. He plans to put different wheels on the Ranchero, but says it should be about 90 percent original when he’s finished.

He’s still debating on a paint color. “Originally it was white,” he said. “I’ll go to some car shows and if I see a color I like on a car that’s similar I’ll take some pictures.” He enjoys taking the ’36 and ’57 to shows including the Wings N Wheels in Powell. “I like taking them to shows and looking at other people’s cars. It’s nice getting ideas from others in the hobby.”

A close-up of the hood ornament on the ’36 Chevy.

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Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015 - C-3

Automotive

Weekly show brings car lovers together By AMBER PEABODY Special sections editor E v e r y S a t u r d a y, c a r enthusiasts gather in the McDonald’s/Kmart parking lot for the Classic Cars/Hot Rods Car Show. The event runs from the last Saturday in April through the last Saturday in September, 6-8 p.m. “It beats the heck out of sitting at home,” Dave Daniels said. “It’s fun to meet the rest of the car guys and talk. There’s a lot of comraderie.” Daniels owns a 1972 Maverick and ’63 Mercury Meteor. He switches off which he brings to the show. “The season is just getting started,” he said. “Now’s the time people start getting their cars out and polishing them up.” On Saturday he drove the white Maverick, which had been restored by friend Aaron Fraley, also in attendance at the show. Fraley brought out his goldenrod yellow ’72 Comet. “There’s nothing original on it,” he said. “I found it in a field when I was deer hunting and the owner of the property gave it to me.” He installed a 333-cubic inch engine and repainted the car to match its original yellow color. “My wife doesn’t care for it, the color,” he said. Fraley has restored about 20 cars in his lifetime. “I build cars to drive,” he said. “I try to come up here as often as I can to see everyone’s pride and joy. It’s a fun little get-together and a reason to get the car out.” Paul Vail brought his 1955 Bel Air. He said he got

photos by RAYMOND HILLEGAS

Dave Daniels brought his 1972 Maverick to last Saturday’s Classic Cars Hot Rods Car Show in the McDonald’s/Kmart parking lot. a good deal on the shiny red car, buying it from a family after its owner passed away. “I used to show cars and this was a quick way to get back into it,” he said. He’s done some work on the car but says there are still things to be done. “You never know what’s going to show up here,” he said. “Once summer gets going there can be as many as 40 cars here.” Many who bring their

cars up also enjoy a meal or treat from McDonald’s. Dan Owen parked his ’38 DeSoto and headed inside. “I usually have a hamburger and then look at other cars.,” he said. He purchased the partially finished car about three years ago and has been making improvements. “It needed a different cooling system and had some other issues,” he said.

Aaron Fraley and Dave Daniels talk next to Fraley’s ’72 Comet. Fraley restored both his and Daniel.’s car.

“This is the first time I’ve had my car out since last fall.” This is the third year the show has gone on every Saturday. Prior to that the show happened about once a month. “Since we started doing it every week attendance is much stronger,” founder Jerry Bank said. Anyone wishing to show off their vehicle is invited to attend.

“

I try to come up here as often as I can to see everyone’s pride and joy. It’s a fun little get-together and a reason to get the car out. Aaron Fraley, Classic car owner

”

Dan Owen parked his ’38 Desoto and went to enjoy a hamburger before checking out the other cars.

Drag racing made easy According to nhra.com, a drag race is an acceleration contest on a track or dragstrip, that begins from a standing start between two vehicles over a measured distance. A drag racing event is a series of such two-vehicle, tournament-style eliminations. The losing racer in each contest is eliminated and the winning racers progress until one remains. These contests are started by means of an electronic device commonly called a Christmas Tree because of its multicolored starting lights. On each side of the Tree are seven lights: two small amber lights at the top of the fixture, followed in descending order by three larger LED lights, a green bulb and a red bulb. Two light beams cross the starting-line area and connect to trackside photocells, which are wired to the Christmas Tree and electronic timers in the control tower. When the front tires of a vehicle break the first light beam, called the pre-stage beam, the pre-stage light on the Christmas Tree indicates that the racer is approximately seven inches from the starting line. When the racer rolls forward

“

These contests are started by means of an electronic device commonly called a Christmas Tree because of its multicolored starting lights.

”

into the stage beam, the front tires are positioned exactly on the starting line and the stage bulb is lit on the Tree, which indicates that the vehicle is ready to race. When both vehicles are fully staged, the starter will activate the Tree, and each racer will focus on the three large amber lights on his or her side of the Tree. Depending on the type of racing, all three large amber lights

will flash simultaneously, followed four-tenths of a second later by the green light (called a Pro Tree), or the three bulbs will flash consecutively fivetenths of a second apart, followed five-tenths later by the green light (called a Sportsman, or full, Tree). Two separate performances are monitored for each run: elapsed time and speed. Upon leaving the staging beams, each vehicle activates an elapsedtime clock, which is stopped when that vehicle reaches the finish line. The start-to-finish clocking is the vehicle’s elapsed time, which serves to measure performance. Speed is measured in a 66-foot “speed trap” that ends at the finish line. Each lane is timed independently. The first vehicle across the finish line wins, unless, in applicable categories, it runs quicker than its dial-in or index. A racer also may be disqualified for leaving the starting line too soon, leaving the lane boundary (either by crossing the centerline, touching the guardwall or guardrail, or striking a track fixture such as the photocells), failing to stage, or failing a post-run inspection.

Pam Peterson raced a 1997 Dodge Neon at the start of her career. (Courtesy photo)

PETERSON change. At a recent race in Douglas her car ran a 10.65, 10.66, 10.69 and another 10.66. “My car’s never been that consistent before,” she said. And now that she’s no longer pushing her car to the edge, it holds together much better. “With my front-wheel drive car I’d come home and when we got it off the trailer we’d start working on it,” she said. “With this one we it leave on the trailer until we go again. Now at races we have time to

(from page C-1)

walk around to see racing and other cars.” Her husband served as her crew chief until last year when he started racing a car of his own. “I couldn’t have done this without my husband’s support,” she said. “It has always been a team effort for us. Even though we race the same class and have separate cars now, we still make sure the other person’s car is ready for the next round even if we are racing each other in the next round.

“And I’d like to thank sponsors J&B Engines and Woody’s Auto Salvage for help making this possible.” The race season goes from May to September, The track in Acton is call the Yellowstone Dragstrip and located about 15 miles outside Billings. “I encourage people to come out to the track,” Peterson said. “It’s an amazing facility and a lot of people don’t know about it.” To find out more go to yellowstonedragstrip.com.

C-4 - Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015

Automotive

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Before pulling the trigger on the fully loaded model of a car, compare its price to the model line’s base price. The loaded version could cost around 50 percent more than the stripped-down special. You could probably buy the base model of a considerably nicer car for the same money. Target a mid-level specification of your chosen vehicle with meaningful upgrades.

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Lightly used models can sell for thousands less than new. Many companies even offer certified pre-owned programs. brands as Honda, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia and Lexus.

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Buying from dealer stock often requires flexibility, because you’re choosing from what the dealer ordered, as opposed to ordering exactly what you want. But on the flip side, dealers have a strong incentive to move existing inventory. For substantial savings, take a good look at available inventory among all the nearby dealerships, and distant dealerships that offer long-dis-

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Watch out for dealerships eager to take your trade-in, as they typically won’t offer retail value. While this transaction is easy, it may cost you hundreds, if not thousands when compared to selling your car on the open market. Of course, you’ll need to be willing to spend time waiting for the right buyer. An Autotrader classified ad is a great place to start.

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Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015 - C-5

Automotive

Montmeny ‘repairs’ 1950 GMC truck By AMBER PEABODY Special sections editor Jim Montmeny always has enjoyed the look of 1950s pickups. So when he discovered a 1950 GMC 3/4 ton pickup sitting on someone’s property, he had to have it. “It’s a nice, classic GMC and the body style I always liked the best,” he said. Montmeny is the second owner of the vehicle. The truck had belonged to the property owner’s father and sat on the land for so many years it had sank into the ground to the rims. “When I went to pick it up I brought compressed air and bottles because it was sunk down, but when I brought it up the tires were fine.” Once the vehicle was parked in his garage, he called GMC and they sent the manual for the vehicle. “I’m not sure they still do that, but it’s something they did then,” he said. Since then he’s been making improvements. “I’ve been fooling with it for three summers and it’s close to where I want it to be.” Montmeny is quick to point on the vehicle is repaired and not fully restored, a way to keep costs reasonable. He’s done all the work himself. “I had an after-school job working at a service station,” he said. The GMC started out green, but Montmeny stripped it down and painted it blue with white fenders. He also reupholstered the seat in white. He had to take the whole bed of the truck apart. The original floor boards were 3/4

photo by AMBER PEABODY

Jim Montmeny found his 1950 GMC truck sitting on someone’s property. It was sunken in the ground down to the rims. inch pine, but some hard rotted. He replaced them with 2 inch boards that weren’t easy to install. “It’s a custom fit,” he said. On the passenger side welding was required to hold

the spare tire in place. He did minimal work under the hood, mainly a tune-up and new hoses. “Back then the GMC had 4-speed transmission on the floor, a 6-cylinder engine and

an oil pump,” he said. “When you start it up it’s like a modern engine.” One thing that didn’t need replaced is the chrome grill, something that would go away for a while in 1951.

GM adds vehicles to air bag recall DETROIT (AP) – General Motors and Subaru are adding vehicles to the growing list of models being recalled by 11 automakers due to potentially exploding air bags. The U.S. government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the model information on May 29. The vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. of Japan that can inflate with too much force, spewing shrapnel into the passenger compartment. Six people have been killed and more than 100 injured due to the problem. Recently NHTSA and the government agreed to double the number of inflators it recalled to 33.8 million. But the makes and models were not available. The increase made it the largest auto recall in U.S. history, according to the agency. The best way to tell if your car or truck is being recalled is to key in the vehicle identification number at https://

vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. The number is stamped on the driver’s side of the dashboard near the windshield and also is on many state registration cards. Automakers are still posting recall information by number, and the task may take several days or even weeks. So it’s wise to keep checking periodically. Here’s a breakdown of the vehicles added to the recall: •General Motors: About 375,000 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra HD trucks from the 2007 and 2008 model years to replace passenger air bags, mainly across North America. About 330,000 of the trucks were sold in the U.S. Dealers will replace the inflators at no cost to customers. GM says it knows of no crashes or injuries due to performance of the air bags in these vehicles. •Subaru: About 60,000 vehicles added to a previous recall along the Gulf Coast for passenger air bag inflators. Recall now expanded national-

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ly. Brings total Subaru vehicles recalled to about 81,000. Additional models include 20042005 Impreza and the 2005 Saab 9-2X, which was manufactured by Subaru. Recently, Honda, Fiat Chrysler, BMW, Ford and Mitsubishi released their models added to the recall. Eleven automakers have vehicles included in the

“That’s when they started using painted steel because of the Korean War,” he said. Montmeny enjoys taking the truck to car shows and parades. He also sometimes uses it for hauling.

“It has a solid front axel with no suspension, which makes correcting quite difficult,” he said. “It’s happy doing 40 miles per hour and can do 65, but it makes you nervous.”

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C-6 - Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015

Automotive

Diamond T roars back to life By AMBER PEABODY Special sections editor As a retired truck driver, Steve Haberland has a soft spot for old pickups. So when he was at a friend’s and came across a 1948 Diamond T and 1946 Dodge, he made offers on both. “I drove truck for UPS and have loved them since I was a kid,” he said. “I like the 1940s era. Those guys that drove truck then were real truck drivers.” He tackled the Diamond T first, putting an exhaust on it, as well as fixing the breaks and the turn lights. The engine just needed a few hoses and it was good to go. “Diamond T’s were known as the Cadillac of trucks,” he said. Creator C.A. Tilt of Chicago built his first motor vehicle, an automobile, in 1905. Regular production of three passenger-car models began two years later. In 1911 a customer requested a truck, an order that convinced Tilt that commercial vehicles represented the best way to make a buck. He immediately traded cars for trucks, and the rest is history. The paint job of the truck had seen better days, but Haberland has no intention of changing it. “Originally they were all red with that green stripe,” he said. “Someone asked me if I was going to paint it and I told her ‘My favorite color is patina.’” The Diamond T has six license plates on it in recognition of truck drivers of the era, who had to have a separate plate for each state they drove in. It also has a water bag on the front. On the road, air would go through the bag and help cool the engine. With the Diamond T basically complete, Haberland has shifted his attention to the Dodge, which was a basic work truck when it rolled off the assembly line. The vehicle had raccoons living in it when he purchased it. It still ran though as he was able to park it in the garage. “I’m doing everything down to the frame,” he said. “It will be better than new.” So far he’s stripped and fixed the engine and reupholstered the seat. He’s removed the doors

photos by AMBER PEABODY

Steve Haberland fixed up this 1948 Diamond T, but he left the paint alone because he likes the patina finish. and hood and has them primed for paint. He’s preparing to take the cab off so it also can be stripped and painted. “Its had so much paint on it,” he said. “Originally from the factory it was red, but it’s also been painted orange, teal and white. I plan to have it painted teal with black fenders for my wife who went through breast cancer and is now cancer free.” The frame will be sanded and painted black. Besides working on his own vehicles, Haberland didn’t have much experience restoring. “It’s a learning process and I learn as I go,” he said. “You can go on YouTube and they have videos on how to do something or I figure it out myself.” Another difficulty has

been finding parts. Aftermarket parts aren’t made for the two truck models, so he’s had to scrounge at junk yards and on the internet. “I had a neighbor give me another Diamond T, but it was in bad shape so I parted it out and used some of it for my truck,” he said. “Other countries have these too so I sold parts to the Neth-

erlands and Australia. It’s helped pay for my hobby.” He likes to take the Diamond T to shows including one in Shoshoni this weekend. He’s also had it in the Fourth of July parade along with his 1986 Mack MH. He also hopes to restore other trucks and has one in mind – a 1948 Hudson near Bridger.

Historical truck club To bring together other area truck lovers, Steve Haberland started a Big Horn Basin Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society a few years ago. The organization is dedicated to preserving the history of trucks, the trucking industry and its pioneers. The Big Horn Basin chapter meets every other month to discuss or work on trucks. It will host its own show called Wheels of Time on Sept. 12-13 in conjunction with Homesteader Days in Powell. For more information about the chapter call Haberland, 250-6883.

Haberland is in the process of removing the cab from his 1946 Dodge so it can be primed and painted. He plans to paint it teal with black fenders in honor of his wife.

Trucks in the 1940s had to have a different license plate for every state they entered.

The instrument panel inside the Diamond T is original.

Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015 - C-7

Automotive

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C-8 - Cody Enterprise - Thursday, June 11, 2015

Automotive

Auto sales breeze past forecasts DETROIT (AP) – U.S. auto sales were stronger than expected in May, boosted by Memorial Day promotions and strong demand for new SUVs. Sales rose 2 percent over last May to more than 1.64 million cars and trucks, their fastest pace since July 2005, according to Autodata Corp. Analysts had expected sales to fall slightly because of lower sales to rental car companies and other auto fleets. Subaru led automakers with a 12 percent sales gain. General Motors’ sales rose 3 percent, Fiat Chrysler was up 4 percent and Honda rose 1 percent. All four automakers benefited as buyers continued a steady shift from cars into small and medium-sized SUVs. Honda sold more than 6,300 HR-V small SUVs in the first two weeks it was on sale. Sales of the GMC Acadia SUV jumped 67 percent, while sales of the Jeep Cherokee were up 23 percent. Sales of Subaru’s XV Crosstrek small SUV jumped 36 percent. Long-struggling Volkswagen surprised with an 8 percent sales gain thanks to its new Golf. Ford’s sales fell 1 percent. Nissan and Toyota said sales were flat, while Hyundai’s sales fell 10 percent. May is typically one of the biggest sales months of the year, as buyers flush with tax returns look forward to summer road trips. Last May, sales jumped 11 percent to just over 1.61 million, their highest monthly total in nine years. After five years of blistering growth after the recession, it’s getting increasingly difficult for the industry to match those kinds of numbers. U.S. sales are expected to hit 17 million this year, near their historic peak of a decade ago, and automakers will have to work harder to post big gains. But the industry isn’t alarmed. Because of factory closures during the recession, output is closer to matching consumer demand, so car companies don’t have to resort to as much expensive discounting as they did in the past. Demand is also healthy thanks to easing credit standards, improving employment numbers, lower gas prices and enticing new vehicles. Car buying site TrueCar. com said sales to individual buyers jumped 7 percent over Memorial Day weekend, thanks in part to promotions like zero-percent financing on the new Hyundai Sonata sedan. Ford’s U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve said having five weekends in May also boosted sales. In a sign of confidence, Ford is shortening its annual two-week summer break to one week at five of its North American assembly plants, and FCA canceled its usual shutdown at four assembly plants in the U.S. and Mexico. GM’s sales rose 3 percent to 293,097 vehicles. Sales of its best-seller, the Chevrolet Silverado pickup, rose 11 percent, and Buick’s two small SUVs _ the Encore and Enclave _ both saw 20 percent gains. But car sales were weaker. Sales of the Chevrolet Cruze dropped 27 percent. Ford’s sales dropped 1 percent to 250,813. Sales of its best-seller, the F-150 pickup, dropped 10 percent as the company continued to ramp up production of the newly redesigned truck. LaNeve said Ford had just half of its normal F-150 inventory at the beginning of the month. Ford also saw lower sales of the Escape and Explorer SUVs. Toyota’s sales were flat at 242,579. Toyota’s SUV sales were up, led by the Highlander with a 25-percent increase. Lexus SUV sales were also strong thanks in part to the new NX small SUV. But Toyota’s car sales dropped 11 percent. FCA’s sales rose 4 percent to 202,227, the company’s best May since 2005. Jeep sales rose 13 percent. Sales of FCA’s best-seller, the Ram pickup, rose 8 percent, while sales of Ram’s ProMaster van more than doubled.

Honda’s sales rose 1 percent to 154,593 vehicles. Car sales were weak; Honda’s best-seller, the Civic sedan, was down 4.5 percent. But sales of the Acura RDX SUV jumped 24 percent. Nissan’s sales were flat at 134,779. Sales of the recently redesigned Murano crossover were up 58 percent, and the Rogue small SUV also saw strong sales. But Nissan’s car sales dropped 11 percent. Hyundai’s sales fell 10 percent to 63,610. Every Hyundai model except for the Elantra sedan saw sales declines. Subaru’s sales were up 12 percent to 49,561. Its biggest seller, the Forester SUV, saw a 7 percent gain. Sales of the newly redesigned Legacy sedan climbed 64 percent. Volkswagen’s sales rose 8 percent to 34,758 thanks to sales of the new Golf small car, which nearly tripled over last May.

Americans drive farthest for love, family Summer travel season is upon us and a new survey reveals just where all those vehicles on the highway may be headed. Americans indicated they are willing to drive the farthest for love and family, with fewer willing to drive long distances for sporting and entertainment events. In particular, 42 percent surveyed indicated they would drive the farthest to see a love interest over any other activity and 25 percent indicated they would do so to attend a wedding, according to the new “How Far Would You Drive?” survey from Enterprise RentA-Car. Additionally, 20 percent said they are willing to drive five or more hours to see their child’s sporting event, while only nine percent are willing to drive that same distance to see their favorite professional football team play. More than one-third also

indicated they would drive five or more hours to attend a family reunion and a quarter said they would even do so to meet their in-laws. “We hear anecdotal stories from our customers

all the time about what inspires them to embark on road trips, and it’s a thrill to see how we play a role in our customers’ lives,” said Lee Broughton, vice president, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Brand Marketing. “While love and family may spark individuals to drive the farthest, interests such as sports, music and food still earn significant car time.” (StatePoint)

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