White House Infographic Jeep Obama

White House Infographic Jeep Obama, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Cool infographic from the White House. This is an isolated portion that uses the Jeep plant in Toledo as a Case Study to show how the automotive industry has rebounded since 2009.

The infographic shows the many different suppliers that contribute to the iconic Jeep Wrangler produced in Toledo, Ohio.

Through the first 10 months of 2011, Jeep is the fastest-growing domestic brand, with sales up 44 percent. At its current rate, Jeep will sell 413,000 units this year, the most since Chrysler's 2009 bankruptcy. But that's still well shy of 1999, when Jeep set its sales record of 554,466.

The original Willys MB "Jeep" 4x4 for World War II was produced in the now demolished Toledo South Assembly Plant. The Toledo Assembly Complex is a World Class facility that is raising Wrangler quality to new heights.

NOTE: The White House needs a proofreader - should be "Continental Structural Plastics" instead of "Conteintal Structural Plastics" for the Hardtop supplier.

You can find the full infographic in the post prior to this one.

Fear Fuels Firearms Sales

Many moons ago I sold AT&T Security Systems in the metro Detroit area. We were trained by Chaz Robertson, one of the slickest salesmen this side of the Mississippi, in the fine art of using scare tactics to sell security systems. But, we weren't selling security systems; we were peddling fear-of-the-unknown to folks who couldn't afford our overpriced protection. This was back during the last mini-depression in the early 90's. There were over 2,000 people who applied for 50 positions. I was one of the "chosen" 50 who were put through a month-long training program and memorized sales techniques that came straight out of the classic Tom Hopkins book, "How to Master the Art of Selling." This was Mr. Chaz Robertson's Bible. We were his disciples. Those who mastered the techniques were considered "champions."

We memorized a one-hour plus presentation that was filled with FBI statistics and trips around the home to show weaknesses to would-be thieves. The tipping point for virtually every sale was when we would go through the motions of kicking in the front door and highlight the deficiency of dead bolts (or lack thereof). It was hard-selling 101.

The fact is - fear is the driving force behind the skyrocketing gun sales in North America. Sales are through the roof. These banner ads were found at xdpistols.com.
The Outdoor Wire, the Outdoor Sports Industry's Daily Transaction Newsletter recently named President Obama as the "Gun Salesman of the Year." Claiming that Obama is the impetus for the surge in sales. Look at the FBI's latest statistics and you'll find the highest number of National Instant Check System (NICS) background checks in the system's history. The official total NICS Checks can be found here, and here.
Fear of increased crime, a majority leadership in the House and Senate, along with the inevitable reintroduction of the National Crime Gun Identification Act have all spurred on the spike in sales. Having just gone down to the AKC Dog Show in Detroit this past weekend I have to admit that there were a few times I wish I had some extra protection along.