So this is Christmas..
By: Dave Leggett - 23 December 2005 16:15
Well, here we are again at the fag end of the year. It’s a time for reflection on the year almost passed and also a time to look ahead to the one just around the corner.
2005 was another mixed bag for the industry, as ever. We had firms going bust, laying off workers, struggling to make money, but we also had firms doing well and making products that just keep on getting better, cleaner and safer.
For a review of the year: http://www.just-auto.com/membersclub/
To the automotive industry’s engineers and designers who keep on producing this clever and captivating stuff: hats off to you. No, on second thoughts, hats off to all of you, whatever part you play in this wonderful and awe-inspiring industry. Take a collective pat on the back and perhaps be grateful that you didn’t wind up an estate agent.
More vehicles were made in 2005 than in any other year in history, even if the global distribution of automotive production is changing. That doesn’t sound like an industry in decline and for all the hand wringing over high energy prices the internal combustion engine will be around for quite a while yet. And there are still roads out there where you can enjoy yourself and not fear an automatically triggered speeding ticket from Big Brother (at least, not yet).
The office here will be closed for the holidays next week (but just-auto will still be online and I may even feel the urge to post something in here; you never know). But we’ll be back at our desks, bright eyed and bushy tailed, on January 3rd, 2006.
One final thought. If someone buttonholes you over a glass of festive sherry on the tired old subject of automobiles and the environment, I suggest you inform them that there is scientific evidence that flatulent cattle contribute more to the greenhouse effect than motorised vehicles (an outfit based in California came to that conclusion, honest). There are still plenty of uncertainties out there.
It just remains for me to wish all just-auto’s readers and supporters a Merry, Merry Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful New Year.
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