What a difference a bailout makes.

I think those 2008-2009 bailouts of GM and Chrysler gave those two Detroit automakers a better chance to recover faster, stronger. Chrysler ended 2011 with a big 26% jump in sales over 2010 -- and a 37% jump just in December. Not too shabby.

GM finished 2011 with a year-over-year gain of 13%. That's nice, too. Ford, which didn't take taxpayer money, finished 10% above its 2010 numbers.

Now, maybe it's just that the U.S. economy finally has begun its slow, uphill recovery, but those GM and, especially, Chrysler year-end numbers ain't bad.

Yes. What a difference the bailouts made. 

I'm one of those kooks who doesn't completely mind the government sometimes trying to protect me from myself and others -- like on the road, for example. I've been in car accidents -- hit from the rear, hit on the side, hit head-on -- but I've survived them all, no one died. Maybe it's just luck.

Usually, it was a driver who was distracted -- even for just a split second -- that caused the collision. That distraction could have been looking away from the road ahead, looking down at something dropped onto the seat or floorboard, speeding up and cutting in a too-tight space and slamming on the brakes ... you get the picture; we've all been there.

Face-to-face interaction at trade shows helps encourage the thought process and create ideas that can be groundbreaking and innovative. During the PRO (Professional Restylers Organization) Council membership meeting Nov. 3 at the SEMA Show, the idea was suggested that SEMA combine the Restyling section with the Trucks section in the Las Vegas Convention Center's Upper South Hall. Two of the most prominent reasons stated during the discussion were the contraction of the Restyling section in the North Hall and the fact that exhibitors and buyers would benefit greatly from the fact that both markets are looking at many of the same players.

And I thought the 2010 SEMA Show was upbeat. It had nothing on this 2011 Show.

This isn't cheerleading. From the 30- or 40-or-so exhibitors (I began to lose count) I had in-depth conversations with between Oct. 31 and Nov. 4 at the aftermarket trade show in Las Vegas, I found not one who didn't say he or she was upbeat -- genuinely so -- about the industry, the show, the quality of their aftermarket buyers/installers/jobbers.

And I thought the 2010 SEMA Show was upbeat. It had nothing on this 2011 Show.

This isn't cheerleading. From the 30- or 40-or-so exhibitors (I began to lose count) I had in-depth conversations with between Oct. 31 and Nov. 4 at the aftermarket trade show in Las Vegas, I found not one who didn't say he or she was upbeat -- genuinely so -- about the industry, the show and the quality of their aftermarket buyers/installers/jobbers.

The pendulum swings.

Some car/truck dealers have their own in-house aftermarket-selling and installation departments that do a good business. Others have partnered with contract installers to handle the add-ons that dealers' customers want, and together they do a good business.

Some dealers promote their brands' aftermarket parts. Others are  more democratic and present a host of options. And then there are those dealers that don't make the effort to promote aftermarket add-ons.

Despite all the roller-coaster news that first predicts a bad month for vehicle sales only to find the opposite occurs … despite roller-coaster stock markets catching an economic flu whenever some new economic indicator report sneezes bad news … despite roller-coaster politicians of every stripe posturing and posing as having the solution to “putting America back on its feet” … despite earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes … the auto industry seems to be regaining — at least holding — its ground.

Are you restyling retailers and jobbers holding your ground? Is the economic news that's reported actually true for you and your business?

Is there good news in my observation?

In early June I blogged the following (below, in italics) about Nissan "strongly" advising against aftermarket seating installs. SEMA and its -- your --  Professional Restylers Organization council have yet to hear anything else from Nissan, or any other carmakers, on this issue that potentially could stall or end the business of aftermarket seat trim -- unless, perhaps, the carmakers only allow certified installers through any potential future training programs they might devise.

Football pre-season is back, so lots of folks are going to get their spirits up and at 'em for the new season.

Funny, how NFL's season coincides with the release of the new-vehicle season.

So, does that mean the fall car- and truck-selling season is ready to begin, and people will be more up for buying?

As used-vehicle prices rose largely due to the lack of available new vehicles (largely due to the Japan disasters in March), and those prices crept closer to new-car prices, making the sales playing field more even, is that about to change dramatically because Toyota, Honda and Subaru are getting ready to hit full production again?