Car Chute

31 Dec

Bounce Back: Local car, boating industries rebound in 2011 and look for smooth …

Posted by: Auto Buff / Category: General Motors

Yes here we are, on the dawn of a new year for the local automotive and marine industries in the Charleston area.

Sure it would be great to look ahead, but my crystal ball is in the shop.

It’s safe to predict a few things: people will buy and retailers will sell cars and trucks and boats in 2012. Lots of them.

Look for hybrids and electric vehicles to boost their presence. Fiat may open a Lowcountry outlet at some point. And expect a surprise or two involving area car dealerships (isn’t that always the case). Gas prices will rise, and will fall. Expect rates to stay between $3 and $4 a gallon by year’s end (Wow, that’s going out on a limb).

In the boating business, look for calmer seas than in past years. Local manufacturing should pick up a bit, and dealers will boost sales. As with car outlets, boat dealers may play some merry-go-round, too.

Provided

Tommy Baker (left), president of Baker Motor Co., and Miller Cadillac chief Sumter deBrux get together after Baker Motor acquired the venerable Mount Pleasant Cadillac dealership this fall.

OK, that’s it. My divining rod got run over by a reindeer, my tea leaves fell down the trash disposal.

All I’ve got left is a look back. In the words of a famous Japanese philosopher (Godzilla?), those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. (What’s that again? I wasn’t paying attention).

So here’s a slightly offbeat look at the wheels and waves field in 2011, using the trite but true A to Z method:

A – Anderson (and Ford F-150). In an unofficial Post and Courier contest to name the state car and truck, voters choose the kingpin F-150 as pickup and the Anderson, a well-built Rock Hill model from the 1920s, as state car. Hmm, with a little luck York County could have been the Detroit of the South. Then again, probably not.

B – Baker, buyer of Miller Cadillac. Baker Motor Co. last month took over the long-time Cadillac dealership in Mount Pleasant held by the Miller family. Baker and Miller. Is this a car dealer transaction or a food show?

C – Chump Car Series. Old Saturns from Hendrick Imports were donated to auto shops at Stratford High and Garrett Academy of Technology who fixed them up from “beaters” to fine-looking, hard-charging cars. In a race this spring in the Chump Car series for fixed-up, low cost vehicles, Garrett’s Saturn outdueled Stratford’s. No word yet on a rematch.