READER MAIL

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Longtime reader.

I have been a reader since the first rant, and to say that I have immensely enjoyed the past 26 and a half years would be an understatement. Your rants give the reader a true behind the curtain view of the industry that simply does not exist anywhere else. In addition, your rants that give a glimpse into your life growing up in the business are my personal favorites. I am very sorry to hear about your health issues and will keep you in my daily prayers.

Wishing you and Janice a very merry holiday season and a wonderful 2026!

KB
Sparta, New Jersey



From Day One.

Best wishes for your health PMD! I have been here since the first issue. And as a transplant to the area who is an "observer " of the local culture, it is one of the funniest things I have ever read. Have no idea if you meant it as humor. But everything comes to an end and if Janice and you decide this is it, good for you. How many people out there could have pulled off Autoextremist? Rooting for you!

Dave Goldin
Rochester, Michigan



Affordability.

Very few times in the history of this business has a company created a vehicle for the masses. The working stiffs that get up early. The young dreamers working late. The older couple that’s retired. The one thing these demographics are looking for is AFFORDABILITY. These gas-bags think their next great idea is going to set the industry on fire. That idea is NEVER affordable cars and trucks. That’s what people need. It’s never going to change. Notice that we have the worst functioning government in our country's history because we filled it with businessmen. The cronyism, kickbacks and false promises are on full display. We hardly ever see any of their promises kept. The lives of those demographics never improved. Our only hope is independent journalism to shine a light on it. Keep up the good fight PMD. The true believers still need your voice.

JRR
Plymouth, Michigan



Please don't stop.

As someone who sees our country and its current situation very much as you do, I would just like to say: "please don't stop!" You have the ability, and willingness, to shine a light on things as they really are, not just in the industry, but in our society, and these are things that need to be said. Too many folks are just trying to look the other way, and in the meantime, Rome is burning. AE seems to me to be a unique creation and a valuable voice, about much more than the automotive business, though the straight shooting on the car business is certainly refreshing, and yes, brutally honest.

Wishing you well with your health problems--we all have them or will have them eventually. I hope you can overcome, and go on for many more years. Have a good break, and happy holidays!

DC
Cashiers, North Carolina



The High-Octane Truth.

It has been a fascinating read for all the years. Fascinating, because your view of the world through the small porthole of the auto industry has helped us all in looking at the whole life picture. The American auto industry is in a hot mess to be sure, but so is the industry on the other five continents it exists; It ain’t just Farley or Trump, it’s the whole of all endeavors that have some form of dysfunction. One of those annoying clickbait items that permeate many web pages these days exclaimed that billionaires are working on finding a way to live forever. Good for them. I and millions of others already have, and we celebrate that once a year about this time.

"Fear not then, said the Angel
Let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's pow'r and might
Oh tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Oh tidings of comfort and joy”

-From God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, author unknown.

High Octane Truth indeed.

Chris Blanchard
Prescott, Wisconsin

A thank you.

I would like to thank you for the many years of your absolutely fantastic writing on AutoExtremist, and wish you all the best with the health issues you are dealing with.

I look forward to AutoExtremist every week, both for the straightforward news and perspectives not available anywhere else, and especially your bare-knuckles, baseball bat to the back of the head snarky and side-splittingly funny writing style. I often pass your newsletter on to friends. One of my friends retired as an Executive V.P. after 50 years with Ford, I love to see his reactions to your Jim Farley comments!

Your perspectives on the auto industry are unique, and your delivery style unmatched. I don't work in the car business (though I did once have a job offer from Nissan, way back in the stone age early 1990's, to be Director of Product & Strategic Planning for Infiniti, I've always deeply regretted not taking that job...), but I am a life-long hard-core gear head, having owned over 100 cars in my life. Reading your weekly newsletter is one of the highlights of my week.

I can empathize with health issues, and have been dealing with my own non-trivial ones in recent years. The old saying is true, 'when you have your health you have everything' - but so is the opposite. Health issues are also a reminder that our time here is limited; we should be thoughtful about how and with whom we spend it.

I hope the world will continue to be able to enjoy and benefit from your writings, but much more importantly I wish you all the best in successfully resolving your health issues. You have given so much to the community of car enthusiasts over the years, but your health must be the not only highest but only priority.

Happy holidays, and thank you so much again for all the insights, wisdom, and laughs from your writings.

All the best,

Nick Landekic
Westport, Massachusetts