As the size of your car insurance bill indicates, there's been a lot of research into the mechanics of whiplash injury. The resulting active headrest technology is way cool, but problems with pain and prolonged recovery persist. ScienceDaily reports on a Swedish insurance claims study that followed 1000 whiplash car insurance claims. The Nordic researchers found that sufferers' expectations for a good or complete recovery correlated with a lower rate of pain and disability six months later– even when controlling for the severity of the pain. Mind over matter? We don't mind if it doesn't really matter. Why not keep your hopes up the next time your ABS-equipped car gets smacked by someone else? [Caveats: study enrollment was based on insurance claims, so unreported minor fender benders as well as outright fatalities are excluded, possibly skewing the results. Study was completed between 2004 – 2005 in Sweden, so results may not be applicable to you. Lack of [decent] headrests, adverse driving conditions in third world countries and other variable may increase your risk. Reading TTAC for medical advice may cause certain side effects, including persistent cynicism, nasal beverage ejection and compulsive commenting. Should symptoms persist, see your medical professional.]
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Posts By: Richard Chen
As the size of your car insurance bill indicates, there's been a lot of research into the mechanics of whiplash injury. The resulting active headrest technology is way cool, but problems with pain and prolonged recovery persist. ScienceDaily reports on a Swedish insurance claims study that followed 1000 whiplash car insurance claims. The Nordic researchers found that sufferers' expectations for a good or complete recovery correlated with a lower rate of pain and disability six months later– even when controlling for the severity of the pain. Mind over matter? We don't mind if it doesn't really matter. Why not keep your hopes up the next time your ABS-equipped car gets smacked by someone else? [Caveats: study enrollment was based on insurance claims, so unreported minor fender benders as well as outright fatalities are excluded, possibly skewing the results. Study was completed between 2004 – 2005 in Sweden, so results may not be applicable to you. Lack of [decent] headrests, adverse driving conditions in third world countries and other variable may increase your risk. Reading TTAC for medical advice may cause certain side effects, including persistent cynicism, nasal beverage ejection and compulsive commenting. Should symptoms persist, see your medical professional.] 
In a direct homage to Glorious Communist Plans of Stalin and Mao, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has announced his employer's latest five-year plan. The New York Times reveals the catchy name: GT 2012 (G for Growth, T for Trust). Trust? "In our industry, the companies that are performing best are the ones that have established a high level of trust with the different stakeholders.” So no American Axle, Plastech troubles for them, then. Anyway, amongst Carlos' goals: improved quality control, expansion of the Infiniti lineup into Europe, mo' and mo' better entry level cars , increased sales in the BRIC and Middle East, and something about profit (per-share dividend of 42 yen for '09'10, the rest TBA). Oh, and electric vehicles in the U.S. market within two years (yes 2010) and globally ever after. Just remember: they chose to do it. "Nissan decided to accelerate development of battery-powered vehicles because of high gasoline prices and environmental concerns, not just because of the need to meet stricter fuel-economy standards." The conflict being? And in a dig at another electric vehicle, Carlos proclaims "We're not interested in some Stars Wars prototype." Tough talk for a man who says "“We’re talking about hundreds of [electric] vehicles first."
FT.com reports that Jerry York– car industry veteran and investor Kirk Kerkorian's Number One– apologized to Ford executives for shooting from the lip. Apparently, the Grand Old Duke of York regrets advising The Blue Oval Boyz to sell Volvo and give Mercury the needle. "Tracinda, Mr Kerkorian's holding company, disclosed in a regulatory filing that Mr York had backtracked on his 'off-the-cuff' remarks." When was the last time Jerry York apologized for anything? He and Captain Kirk are well known for their stock shenanigans, notably the one which pushed Chrysler into being bought by a merger of equals with Daimler– which resulted in dismantling of the vaunted Chrysler management team. We're still waiting for that apology, Jerry. Let's not forget you were the CEO of Micro Warehouse, which went Chapter 11 a few years back. On the flip side, Lutz got his golden parachute, rode Exide into Chapter 11 as well, then got hired by GM where he went on to win his own award here at TTAC. [Check out John Horner's take on Captain Kirk in Ford Death Watch 44. And TTAC welcomes longtime contributor and tipster Richard Chen into the blogging fold.]
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