Toyota – your not the first. Sudden acceleration syndrome has made some news lately. But lets not forget this isn’t anything new. Automobile Magazine takes a look back at the early years of this phenomena.

Audi sales plummeted from a peak of 74,061 units in 1985 to only 12,283 sales by 1991.

I doubt Toyota’s sales will plummet like Audi’s did in the late 80s… as this is merely a small blip on the radar for the worlds largest automobile maker.

Back on the quattro side of things – If only we could do something to slow the growth of Audi today. I’m tired of seeing my brand placed into the hands of so many incapable drivers. What happened to BMW being the ultimate driving machine?

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Although I can not support the media and marketing materials behind the BIAA’s annual Brain Injury Awareness Month campaign – I can support the message they are trying to deliver.

March is brain injury awareness month and quite simply said… A concussion is a brain injury. Get the facts.

I will attempt to wait for their radio campaign to hit me and hopefully change my decision on this totally lame PSA marketing effort. Unfortunately a YouTube search for anything revolving brain injury and awareness results in a far cry from anyone putting a brain behind a brain injury campaign.

Not Genius.

OK Go did it again with this amazing Rube Goldberg esque music video. But they need to be careful with their making of videos. They are presenting too much non-relevent content which pulls from the video and negatively influences my purchasing decision on whether or not I buy this song. Additionally – they sold out to statefarm… WTS’s.

GIZMODO gets the credit

Need to learn more about this Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid vehicular?
Read (more info) off this link.

Long Drivers of America (LDA) local qualifiers are popping up all over with the first major event coming up March 25-27th in Mesquite, Nevada. The 2010 Diamond in the Desert Classic requires zero pre-registration and will consist of 2 days of open qualifying to create a competitive field for Saturdays Desert Classic final.

New to the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship sponsorship team this year is Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Slazenger RAW Extreme Distance golf ball. I don’t know what happened to Pinnacle as the official golf ball of the LDA – maybe it just wasn’t extreme enough. Personally – I’m a fan of aggressive.

So if your bored of the snow… lets go hang with the Mesquitos and start swinging.

Long Drive – Part 2

IO

• iPad Dock Connector to VGA Out

Covers / Cases

• Waterfield Suede Jacket

Applications

I found the 2010 Apple Supplier Responsibility Progress Report to be a very interesting read.

Over the last three years Apple has developed their own comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct and requires their suppliers to contractually commit to their code as a condition of doing business with them. Not only does Apple’s requirements to supplier responsibility keep their suppliers socially and environmentally in check – their entire approach extends beyond just monitoring compliance with their code.

Apple will help suppliers meet their expectations by supporting their efforts to provide training in workers’ rights and occupational health and safety. They motivate their suppliers to improve on their key metrics. In this way, Apple increases awareness of social responsibility and continues to drive improvements in conditions and practices further into their supply chain.

Just another simple example on how Apple is continually changing the world.

Highlights:

Driving Change

During most of our audits, suppliers stated that Apple was the only company that had ever audited their facility for supplier responsibility.

Falsification of Records

In one instance, Apple’s 2008 audit had revealed falsified records for working hours and days of rest. When Apple returned in 2009 for a core violation reaudit, the facility again falsified records—presenting worker timecards, daily production output records, and quality control records that indicated no violations related to working hours or days of rest. When Apple investigated further, we uncovered additional records and conducted worker interviews that revealed excessive working hours and seven days of continuous work. When confronted with this information, the facility provided Apple with accurate timecards. Based on the repeat core violation and inadequate actions, Apple is terminating all business with this facility.

Wages and Benefits

Audits also revealed 45 facilities where wage deductions were used for disciplinary purposes. While the deductions we discovered may be legal under local laws, Apple has required an end to this practice.

Noah and Danielle are having a baby. In anticipation for a baby popping party – Danielle sends me the next best thing. Their adorable dog Baily in their soon to be babies crib. How could you resist? I love you guys.

I have their Chipotle baby announcement to me on video – need to post.

We have a futurist in Vancouver who has already snapped his gold medal winning jump celebration. I shot my prediction 2 years ago. Unfortunately some jumpers behind him pushed him down to 4th – but your still first in my book.

Congratulations Ryan. Now go miss your flight home for a burrito.