Blitz to close Miami factory, sell assets

[Red Arrow]

The first two gas cans I pulled out of the garage were American made. One vented and one self venting with clear warning labels on the sides.

Still not stupid proof, but good cans.

Why are you storing gasoline in portable containers in your garage?  Is there any chance your gas fired house heater or water heater are there too?

[ZYX]

It isn't the old fat guys I'm worried about. When the guy stomps on the pedal and the vehicle spins out of control and runs over nearby pedestrians because he saw some commercial that led him to believe that real guys drive these overpowered snarling beasts, that's when I think they may be liable. It doesn't matter that the fine print on the commercial says, "closed track, do not try this in the real world".  They are then in a similar position as the bartender imo.

This actually happened over on Cherry Street a few years ago. Guy pulled his Porche out of a parking lot and floored it. Even a Porche will lose traction under certain conditions. He lost it and ran over a couple of pedestrians. However, you never see Porche advertising their cars as extensions of male anatomy.

So Chevy shouldn't be able to sell fast cars because some over-confident idiot stomped on the peddle and unfortunately injured or killed people? Should Budweiser be prohibited from selling beer because they advertise in similar ways as you claim Chevy does, because some people drink too much and act like idiots thereafter?

People cannot be coddled all the time. Unfortunate events happen, but it's not our responsibility to try and stop every possible bad thing from happening. Common sense doesn't seem to be very common anymore, and if we continue down this path I agree with zstyles, we will have an idiocracy very soon.

[AquaMan]

Why are you storing gasoline in portable containers in your garage?  Is there any chance your gas fired house heater or water heater are there too?

I appreciate your concern. My garage is detached, the containers are empty since I now use a reel push mower and the garage doesn't have any flame type appliances at the moment. In fact I'm in the process of re-wiring to remove the old knob and tube that was present.

[AquaMan]

Where did you find they are self venting?  I looked on the website and did not see that.

I'll look it up again. I seem to remember they offered several type cans besides water containers etc. One even had an automatic shut off feature. The point I wanted to make was that there are other manufacturers of these cans, in America, for whom safety seemed paramount. They didn't go the Ford route which balances safety off with cost. Blitz refused to make a simple inexpensive change and stood on principle.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Kinda late for that now. Those who need to feed their families but no longer have jobs are now effed in part by dumbassed consumers.

I wasn't clear enough - that was for the nursing home industry...

[AquaMan]

So Chevy shouldn't be able to sell fast cars because some over-confident idiot stomped on the peddle and unfortunately injured or killed people? Should Budweiser be prohibited from selling beer because they advertise in similar ways as you claim Chevy does, because some people drink too much and act like idiots thereafter?

People cannot be coddled all the time. Unfortunate events happen, but it's not our responsibility to try and stop every possible bad thing from happening. Common sense doesn't seem to be very common anymore, and if we continue down this path I agree with zstyles, we will have an idiocracy very soon.

You're missing the point entirely. When a manufacturer shows his product being used in an unsafe manner, who touts its non prescribed use in a dangerous manner and knowlingly sells the car with that as its selling point, then yes, it seems to me they carry some responsibility.

To take your example, if Budweiser were to sell a beer that is promoted to be less filling so that you can drink more, shows fat guys picking up young chicks because of its sophistication, that guarantees you'll be laid, is labeled as 3pt but is actually 10% wherupon the user becomes prematurely inebriated and crashes his car killing innocent bystanders, yes, they should carry some responsibility. I don't think they shold have to carry the responsibility of you getting laid though.

Porshe doesn't do that. Their ads are oriented to safety, reliability, status and performance and their cars are safer at higher speeds than a Charger with the same hp. I just think its irresponsible to show fire breathing, tires squalling, smoke belching street racers, then sell them to teenagers and midlife crisis idiots who think they owe nothing to the rest of the public.

I want to remind you that in previous generations, the big three did reduce hp/weight because insurance companies began to balk at their products being put into the hands of teenagers and increasingly bad drivers. First the big three lied about the hp, then they began to measure the hp at the rear wheels to diminish the numbers till they could redesign the suspension and motors for safety. Todays generation is slow on the uptake imo. They covet their speed and their freedom to accelerate when and where they want more than they do the public safety. Great. Pay the premiums and carry the burden.

[heironymouspasparagus]

So Chevy shouldn't be able to sell fast cars because some over-confident idiot stomped on the peddle and unfortunately injured or killed people?

People cannot be coddled all the time. Unfortunate events happen, but it's not our responsibility to try and stop every possible bad thing from happening. Common sense doesn't seem to be very common anymore, and if we continue down this path I agree with zstyles, we will have an idiocracy very soon.

"Unfortunate events" don't have to be encouraged and condoned.

It would be trivial to put a limit on automotive speed - just put an upper limit into the program so that the car cannot exceed "XX" miles per hour - how about 90?  There really is no point to having a car that will go from 0 - 165 mph in 15 seconds with a system where the highest limit - soon to be - is 85 mph.  And for the plaintive bleat about "passing" - well, when was the last time any normal human being passed a car at 165 mph?  That is misdirection BS.  If you accelerate beyond the 80 to 90 going around someone on a two lane road - you are an idiot, who has no clue about proper, safe passing procedure and are a danger to yourself and others on the road.

We don't do that due to the "unwarranted government intrusion" lack-of-mentality in the country and the "high performance" driver delusion that affects the guys who buy those cars.  (The Corvette owners know who they are!  And others...)

[cynical]

A good many high-performance German cars are speed-limited.  Of course, they are limited to 155 mph.   

"Unfortunate events" don't have to be encouraged and condoned.

It would be trivial to put a limit on automotive speed - just put an upper limit into the program so that the car cannot exceed "XX" miles per hour - how about 90?  There really is no point to having a car that will go from 0 - 165 mph in 15 seconds with a system where the highest limit - soon to be - is 85 mph.  And for the plaintive bleat about "passing" - well, when was the last time any normal human being passed a car at 165 mph?  That is misdirection BS.  If you accelerate beyond the 80 to 90 going around someone on a two lane road - you are an idiot, who has no clue about proper, safe passing procedure and are a danger to yourself and others on the road.

We don't do that due to the "unwarranted government intrusion" lack-of-mentality in the country and the "high performance" driver delusion that affects the guys who buy those cars.  (The Corvette owners know who they are!  And others...)

[guido911]

I wasn't clear enough - that was for the nursing home industry...

I was eye deep in nursing home litigation for about five years. Saw some legitimate cases, but lots of crap. Fact is, nursing homes are part of a very tough industry. Lots of worker turnover and injuries, poor wages, but lofty expectations. Are there crappy owners? Yep. But I know lots of great people in the business as well.

[Red Arrow]

A good many high-performance German cars are speed-limited.  Of course, they are limited to 155 mph.   

Many are limited to 127 MPH (approx 200 Km/hr) so they can put H speed rated tires on them for the US.  Most of the German manufacturers have agreed to the 155 MPH (250 Km/hr) but I believe Porsche has opted out of that agreement.

[Red Arrow]

I want to remind you that in previous generations, the big three did reduce hp/weight because insurance companies began to balk at their products being put into the hands of teenagers and increasingly bad drivers. First the big three lied about the hp, then they began to measure the hp at the rear wheels to diminish the numbers till they could redesign the suspension and motors for safety.

Much of what you say is true.  Horsepower ratings though went from SAE Gross to SAE Net.  Net HP was still measured at the crankshaft but it included accessories as it would have when installed in the car such as alternator, air conditioning compressor, a real (not test) exhaust system etc.

In the late 70s, engine power was actually reduced.   It was a sad time in automotive history.

http://ateupwithmotor.com/automotive-terms/47-gross-versus-net-horsepower.html

[Red Arrow]

I'll look it up again. I seem to remember they offered several type cans besides water containers etc. One even had an automatic shut off feature. The point I wanted to make was that there are other manufacturers of these cans, in America, for whom safety seemed paramount. They didn't go the Ford route which balances safety off with cost. Blitz refused to make a simple inexpensive change and stood on principle.

I saw where they have a spout that automatically shuts off the flow if the can is tipped over.

Some manufacturers will certainly place safety as a higher priority than others.  Where to draw the line between safety, product cost and product functionality will always be a heated topic of discussion.   

[heironymouspasparagus]

I was eye deep in nursing home litigation for about five years. Saw some legitimate cases, but lots of crap. Fact is, nursing homes are part of a very tough industry. Lots of worker turnover and injuries, poor wages, but lofty expectations. Are there crappy owners? Yep. But I know lots of great people in the business as well.

Hmmmm....

Very tough industry, for sure.  All that other stuff, in spades!

I have met some great people in the industry, too, but would not say anywhere near "lots".  And some of the newer ones with the fancy facilities are not what they would have you believe they are - based on personal experience.


Gas cans;
Blitz changed the design a few years ago to eliminate the vent at the back of the tank.  Probably due to some regulation somewhere?  It was a bad idea - makes the tanks harder to handle, which I submit reduces safety rather than increasing it.

[Red Arrow]

well, when was the last time any normal human being passed a car at 165 mph?  

I've done that.   I was in my airplane at least 1000 ft above though.

[Red Arrow]

Gas cans;
Blitz changed the design a few years ago to eliminate the vent at the back of the tank.  Probably due to some regulation somewhere?  It was a bad idea - makes the tanks harder to handle, which I submit reduces safety rather than increasing it.

I mentioned that the non-vented cans may be a result of EPA regulations.  (See reply #13 on the first page.)

This:
http://www.gascans4safety.com/current-safety-regulations
would seem to support that idea.  See near the bottom where the .3 grams/gallon/day emission limit is noted.