Legislation may soon be here making it illegal for Pennsylvania drivers to have hand-held devices. Yes, that includes cell phones. Of course, we drivers are outraged. Me, be inconvienced for a mega-second and not take that call? I am much too important and waiting is a mere impossibility.

Believe me, with my new Blackberry phone, it's a miracle I can even answer it. Even though I keep inadvertently calling all parties stored in this mobile, I somehow can't figure out how to answer this 'smart' phone. Maybe when I get my MBA or engineering degree, I will be able to get all these damn buttons to work. BTW, I can't even see this touch screen in the sun. What is a girl to do?

No cell phone use in the car? No maximization of time management?

No worries ladies, we are not alone. In Ireland it is illegal to drive and have a cup of coffee. Or, is it a cup of tea?

Drive Your Bargain,

Anne

www.twitter.com/womendrivers

When did the  'Yield' sign loose its' mojo and become interpreted as a 'Merge'?

Was it yesterday? Last week? Y2K? Did it happen when the Berlin Wall came down or when the music died? I don’t know, but do tell, when did the fabulous upside down triangular shaped YIELD sign lose its mojo?

As I take the Bellevue on ramp, with its highly visible YIELD sign for those of us quickly approaching Interstate 279 to see, I am guessing the driver in front of me is travelling at about 60 miles an hour, with no brake lights engaging whatsoever. I check in and oh, right, I am barreling at 60 mph also.

I look in the rear view mirror to see the slightly-larger-than-one-ever-needed-to-be SUV at least eight or nine generous feet from my rear bumper. Now, I am not only anxious, but nervous. What the difference between these emotions is I can’t precisely say, but it seems that I should be on double alert as I decide I must slow down approaching this YIELD sign, and he (is it really a he? I am not yet sure, just assuming) is honking at me. Yes, he is honking at me going 57 miles an hour and I am to be YIELDING any second now.

I am totally %&%#%$.

Both lanes of 279 northbound are flying like bats as its 5:18 pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I brake further. How am I to explain to the officer, “The SUV was riding me and I was too intimidated to slow down?” I think not. There is no merging for me.

I am test driving this extraordinary 2010 LEXUS 450h with plenty of get up and go. But my life is worth more than the hurry I will be in to cause an accident. So, I will wait. And wait.

After what seems like an hour, twenty seconds elapse and I saw an opening in the traffic and take it. Like it was my right of passage. Oh no, who followed me in ‘my’ opening? SUV MAN. Possessed like satan, he passes me with hands flailing, mouth cranking, horn honking and with the look of vengeance like the wrath was coming. Except, I am the Wrath.  

As our eyes meet I ponder - when did that YIELD sign lose its mojo? When did YIELD and MERGE become the same thing for us?  Justin Timberlake brought Sexy Back. I am bringing Yielding Back. What a claim to fame. Next blog will be my new rap song 'I'm bringing yielding back'. You too, will have it in your ipod - just wait.

Drive Your bargain,

Anne

This article is used with permission from and credit to www.Autoremarketeing.com

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne on Wednesday unveiled his choice as the individual who will supervise the reintroduction of the Fiat brand in North America.

Taking on the position with a background in both foreign and domestic automakers is Laura Soave. The new executive is charged with the upcoming rollout of the Fiat 500. She was most recently general manager of experiential marketing for Volkswagen of America.

Chrysler officials also noted that while at VW, Soave was the head of advertising and communications activities for all large passenger vehicles and SUVs.

Prior to her positions with the German manufacturer, Soave worked at Ford in a variety of roles, including as a brand DNA manager where she oversaw the repositioning of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.

"Laura joins Chrysler with extensive experience in automotive marketing," Marchionne noted.

"Her rich background will serve as a springboard for reintroducing the Fiat brand when it takes to U.S. and Canadian roads this December after more than a 25-year absence," he continued.

"This truly iconic car exemplifies Italian style, technology and passion and offers something more. The 500 heralds a new vision of technology's role in sustainable mobility," Marchionne added.

This article is from AutoRemarketing.com

EAST NORRITON, Pa. — Addressing the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia late last week, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell argued that his proposed state sales tax cut can lead to improved auto sales and help close future state budget gaps.

"My proposal lowers our sales tax rate by a third, increases the fairness of our business and sales tax systems and helps our state avoid the financial crisis that we know is only 18 months away," the governor told the dealer association's members.

"We will eliminate special interest exemptions on items except necessities like food, clothing and medications, and increase fairness because every item not subject to the sales tax makes the tax on everything else far too high," he added.

Specifically, Rendell proposes trimming Philadelphia's sales tax rate from 8 percent to 5.3 percent. The governor is looking to reduce the sales tax in the Philadelphia suburbs and the remainder of state from 6 percent to 4 percent. (Allegheny County, however, would see a reduction from 6 percent to 4.7 percent).

The governor added that there would be close to $500 in tax savings on an average new-vehicle purchase in the Philadelphia suburbs if the tax cut goes through. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the savings would be close to $650.

Explaining the proposal further, officials noted that a Stimulus Transition Reserve Fund would hold all revenues generated from the sales tax change. The fund would not be able to be touched until July 2011, which would be after Rendell has left office.

At that time, the money can be used to help close the budget gap caused by the end of federal recovery funding. The budget gap is projected to be $2.3 billion.

"A year from now, when more than $2 billion in Recovery Act funds are gone, I will no longer be governor, but I can see it coming and I know if we take action today, we can avoid a budget crisis then. Taking the long view will save legislators from enacting huge tax increases that will be inevitable in the coming years," Rendell noted.

"Elected officials and pundits who suggest further budget cuts to make up for the ending of federal aid would be jeopardizing the kinds of state investments that made community revitalization possible," he continued.

"If we want our state to continue to invest in our cities, great communities and industries, we need to take the bull by the horns and get in front of this crisis," Rendell suggested.

Continuing on, officials explained the state's sales tax further. At the time of its 1953 adoption, "nearly all tangible goods" fell under the sales tax.

However, in the almost five decades since, the government has exempted 74 categories of goods or services as special interest groups pushed amendments through the General Assembly.

"For the average Pennsylvania family, the elimination of sales tax loopholes does not impact them one way or the other," Rendell argued. "But for auto dealers, retailers and related businesses, a lower sales tax rate will give them a stronger competitive edge.

"And businesses that have gotten a pass on sales taxes will now have to pay their fair share," he added.

Proponents also argued that the state would have lower sales tax rates than nearby Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia if the reduction is passed.

Additionally, they explained that the proposal not only would exempt food, clothing and prescription medications, but would also keep the original exemptions for manufacturers covering process, agriculture and machinery and equipment.

DriveYour Bargain,

Anne

www.twitter.com/womendrivers.com