I don’t profess to be an auto guy or anyone of influence. However, behind closed doors, I have managed to convince a multi-billion dollar corporation to switch gears and embrace new concepts. Today, the news is out that Ford is once again mulling a decision to sell Volvo. Last July, I suggested a sale to Honda, who could probably use the Volvo brand to bolster its luxury segment.

Ford: Get rid of Volvo and focus on a strategy to buy General Motors and Chrysler in bankruptcy, because Detroit doesn’t deserve a taxpayer bailout. What Detroit needs is change, which is long overdue. The city’s my hometown, so I think I’m in a great position to state the obvious. No bailout. The auto industry is as brittle and hollow like the many abandoned homes in Detroit, like this one:

Ford is the only automaker in town with almost $30 Billion worth of cash and credit at its disposal. This places the company in an incredibly powerful position to ‘throw its weight around’. It’s time for a consolidation in Detroit:

• Develop a plan to acquire the brands and assets of both General Motors and Chrysler in bankruptcy
• To gain government approval, the company MUST divest its interest in several GM and Chrysler brands, plants
• Approach congress for ‘future financial support’ in the event more capital is needed to save jobs, retool factories
• Get rid of those blood-thirsty union commitments — They’re just as much the problem as Detroit’s lack of innovation to be competitive in the global economy. Renegotiate. Get concessions
• Improve employee morale by inspiring them to feel like stakeholders (I have a creative approach to achieve this) — This means doing more than simply improving product quality

Now is the time to consider all options, because no idea is a bad idea. Sink or swim. The foreign automakers are ready to dine on your front porch.

I’m currently having a late-night thinking session where I’ve been thinking about social programming (TV, radio, etc.) and other interesting social concepts. The thought that came from left field was this:

Congress will not grant a bailout package to the automakers. General Motors (GM) would be the first to collapse by January 18, 2009, followed by Chrysler on February 6, 2008. The lone automaker will be non other than Ford. Alan Mulally will then flex his negotiation skills and convince Congress to grant them the $25 Billion bailout on the condition that they purchase the assets of GM and Chrysler, while attempting to save as many jobs possible.

When one considers the hemorrhaging of money in my hometown by the automakers, almost any scenario is possible. This is just one of a few scenarios that might play out should Congress not approve a bailout package for the industry. Consolidation is nothing new to Detroit. There were dozens of automakers in the earlier days. Some failed, some merged and the others collapsed. That’s life.

When I left my last and final corporate job in 2005, my weekly flying schedule came to a screeching halt. From Summer 2004 to Summer 2005, I had flown more than 50,000 nautical air miles between American, Soutwest and Delta Air. My goal for 2008 was to increase my flying and I’m happy to report that I’ve accomplished the goal! Granted, I have not reached my ultimate goal of weekly flights, but I’m pretty happy with the outcome:

1. Detroit, Michigan (+3)
2. Chicago, Illinois (+3)
3. Newark, New Jersey (+1)
4. New York, New York (+1)
5. Phoenix, Arizona (+1)
6. Las Vegas, Nevada (+1)
7. Austin, Texas (+1)
8. Dallas, Texas (+1)

Several flights were trips to visit family and friends, with the rest being leisure and conferences. The New York flight was a quick day trip to record an interview for the ABC special dedicated to the late CMU professor, Dr. Randy Pausch.

Tomorrow, I’ll fly to Calgary, Alberta, Canada for a weekend of fun through Monday. Its been two years since my last visit to Calgary and I’m looking forward to seeing how this great Canadian city has grown since.

Now, if only I can work out some kind of spokesman deal for one of the airlines, I’ll be all set! I never get tired of flying!

Here’s a food phenomenon I’ll never understand: Ice cream and crackers. My Mom swears by this combination, but I’ve never understood it. She thinks it’s the second coming of God.

Here’s a few photos I just snapped of her indulging in this stuff:

I’m spending some time in Michigan through Sunday with family and friends. I arrived here Friday night and its been a good trip so far. I’ll post some pictures soon.

(I think I ate too much food yesterday. Not feeling too well at the moment.)