Latest news with #FordPinto
Fast Company
16-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
The case for cooperation
The Ford Pinto. New Coke. Google Glass. History is littered with products whose fatal flaw— whether failures of safety, privacy, performance, or plain old desirability—repelled consumers and inflicted reputational damage to the companies bringing them to market. It's easy to imagine the difference if these problems had been detected early on. And too often, businesses neglect the chance to work with nonprofits, social enterprises, and other public interest groups to make product improvements after they enter the marketplace or, more ideally, 'upstream,' before their products have entered the crucible of the customer. For companies and consumer groups alike, this is a major missed opportunity. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, partnering with public interest groups to bake an authentic pro-consumer perspective into elements like design, safety, sustainability, and functionality can provide a coveted advantage. It gives a product the chance to stand out from the crowd, already destined for glowing reviews because problems were nipped in the bud thanks to guidance and data from those focused on consumers' interests. And for the nonprofits, working proactively with businesses to help ensure that products reflect consumers' values from the outset means a better, safer marketplace for everyone. Zoom, in a nutshell We've already seen the difference working together can make, especially if it's early in a product's introduction to consumers. Just look at Zoom. The videoconferencing platform, while launched as a tool for businesses, had not been introduced to a wide consumer audience before the COVID-19 pandemic made its services a global necessity. In early 2020—as Zoom was poised to explode from 10 million monthly users to more than 300 million by April—Consumer Reports' (CR) testing experts went under the hood in our digital lab to assess it from a consumer well-being perspective. CR uncovered serious flaws. These included a protocol allowing the company to collect users' videos, call transcripts, and chats and use them for targeted advertising, as well as features that allowed hosts to record meetings in secret and alert them when a participant clicked away from the screen. At the precipice of a moment when elementary school classrooms to therapy sessions would be conducted over Zoom, there's no telling what the fallout might have been—for the company or its customers—had these problems persisted. But CR reached out to the business—and the business reached back. Within days, Zoom had worked with CR to solve a wide array of problems, helping strengthen its case as a lifeline for users all over the world. Partnerships require new ways of thinking Now imagine what could be possible if such a partnership began even earlier in the process. This is the relationship CR has worked to build with businesses, providing companies our testing expertise and data about consumers' needs and desires. Our advisory services have led to us providing feedback on prototypes, and with feedback implemented earlier in the product development lifecycle, we've seen immediate impact for consumers: improved comfort of leg support in vehicles; privacy policy changes for electronics; reduced fees for a basic checking account; an improved washing machine drying algorithm for one brand; improved safety of active driver assistance systems; and strengthened digital payments app scam warnings before users finalize transactions. These partnerships have proven productive, but they remain the exception to the rule. Building more of those cooperative, upstream relationships will require new thinking on both sides. Advocacy organizations must adopt an entrepreneurial spirit, leveraging their insights and expertise as a collaborator to companies they're more accustomed to critiquing. Businesses must embrace these relationships as a central part of their research and development process, understanding that embedding pro-consumer values gives them a real edge in today's hyper-social marketplace. This cooperation is especially important in the modern digital era, when many consumers are making choices that reflect their principles and where products and services are growing increasingly complex. As the rise of AI-fueled products brings a new wave of threats and vulnerabilities in its wake, it is critical that businesses and public interest groups make an effort to forge strong relationships. By coming together early and often around their common interest—the consumer—they can improve products, craft strong industry standards, burnish the reputation of companies that act responsibly, and help maintain the health and integrity of the marketplace.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New center providing comprehensive youth services in Spokane
Nika Bartoo-SmithUnderscore Native News + ICT Toni Lodge, CEO of The NATIVE Project, beamed as she introduced a new four-story children's health center in Spokane, a crowning achievement for an organization that started with $100 nearly 40 years ago and was now unveiling a $12 million centerpiece of community pride. Speaking at the March 21 grand opening of The NATIVE Project's Children and Youth Services Center, Lodge expressed her appreciation for both the moment and the future. 'Thank you all for being here to witness the blessing of this building, this new home for our youth and our children,' Lodge, citizen of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe, told the crowd. 'We hope that when they come into this building, that their hearts are full of joy and love.' Walking into the new building that morning, community members were greeted by a staff member using an eagle fan to help spread smoke from the smudge burning in an abalone shell. Lodge welcomed them to the new space, reminiscing on how far The NATIVE Project has come in the past few decades. One of the original founding members of The NATIVE Project, and current CEO, Lodge remembers when the organization launched in 1987 with just $100 to its name. As the story goes, that $100 turned into $200 after a board member donated an old Ford Pinto that was raffled off at the Kalispel Powwow. That money allowed the organization to apply for 501(c)(3) status. The NATIVE Project officially opened its doors on May 15, 1989. The original $100 has now turned into millions of dollars — and the Children and Youth Services Center. Through community support, the $12 million project was completed without any debt. 'We left our children no debt,' Lodge told the gathered crowd on March 21. 'We left our children a four-story building, a place and a space for them to do the work that they need to do, for healing, for fun, for culture, for therapy, for treatment.' Beginning in 1989, The NATIVE Project set out to serve urban Indigenous youth through services such as leadership camp. It was founded based on efforts led by Indigenous matriarchs from the community. 'A lot of the actual work was done with all the heavy lifting by a bunch of Native women from different tribes,' Dylan Dressler, citizen of the Aaniiih Nation from Fort Belknap and health services director at The NATIVE Project, told Underscore Native News + ICT. 'I would say a handful of five to seven Native women built the clinic, and so on top of the clinic, we still ran our children, youth services, prevention health program that did AA groups and intensive outpatient treatment.' What started as a small nonprofit serving Native youth and families quickly grew into a full-blown health center, as the organization opened a medical facility in 1999. The NATIVE Project is a Federally Qualified Health Center and Urban Indian Health Clinic. Since 2011, it has opened its doors to the broader community. Now, about 53% of its patients identify as Native and about 47% identify as non-Native, according to Dressler. As a primary health care facility, it provides comprehensive care to the wider Spokane community, with an emphasis on Native health and serving Indigenous community members. 'We really started out as a nonprofit for children and youth and families to have kind of like a safe haven to do extracurricular activities like culture leadership development and just building community,' Dressler said. 'And then it turned into a small health center.' The NATIVE Project provides a range of services for the Indigenous community and beyond in Spokane, with a goal of promoting balance of mind, body and spirit, according to its website. Services include: primary health care; dental health care; prevention; youth behavioral health; pharmacy; care coordination; and more. All along the walls of the new Children & Youth Center, dispersed between art by Indigenous artists, the words 'Sacred Hospitality For All' is painted in gold lettering. 'We call it the matriarch monarch,' Dressler said about the new Children and Youth Services Center. 'A lot of Native women built this building. Put their time, love and energy into it.' Canoe motifs are scattered throughout the building, including a traditional Kalispel canoe that greets visitors to the center, created by Shawn Brigman, a citizen of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. On the fourth floor resides a canoe that has actually been on canoe journey, also built by Brigman. 'When kids come in the door, the first thing they see is the canoe, and it symbolizes the journey,' Lodge said. 'No matter where you go in this building, there is a reminder that we are just on the journey, and we're honoring all the people who come through our door.' The new center will allow staff at The NATIVE Project to expand services for community youth. This includes wraparound services, grounded in Native traditions, to connect youth and families to resources. Youth-focused substance use treatment programs and efforts to reach at-risk youth will be offered. The new campus offers a variety of different rooms for counseling and behavioral health support; an area for music therapy; art therapy space; and space for the Native Youth Council to meet regularly, encouraging youth leadership. 'As we teach kids about their journey, we teach kids about their healing and their wellness,' Lodge said. 'We have reminders of all the ancestors that came before us. We're here as a result of their prayers.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
‘Bizarre and violent crime' in Commerce City leaves man on 3-wheeler severely injured
DENVER (KDVR) — Commerce City police need help solving a 'bizarre and violent crime' that left a man riding a three-wheeler with severe injuries. On Thursday at 8 p.m., the Commerce City Police Department said a man on an ATV three-wheeler was followed into the Rose Hill Grange Park by a minivan. The park is located at 4051 East 68th Ave., east of Miller Reservoir. The police department said on Facebook that the man on the three-wheeler was apparently being chased by the minivan. A second vehicle entered the park from the east, and police said the driver seemed to intentionally run over the rider and the three-wheeler. Police said both vehicles then fled the scene, leaving the three-wheeler rider severely injured. The victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to recover. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Commerce City police are asking for the community's help in identifying the vehicles in what they called a bizarre case. According to witnesses, the second vehicle was described as a 70s model white-colored Ford Pinto or Maverick. The van is described as a Honda Odyssey. The department released a photo of the reported minivan and said there were no clear images of the second vehicle. However, police believe the second car likely has front-end damage and possibly blue paint on the exterior. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Commerce City police tipline at 303-289-3626. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
5 Classic Cars That Aren't Worth the Money, According to Car Experts
Classic cars might seem like a sound investment, but some are just not worth the high price. Even if owners kept the cars in great condition, some may never sell for more than the owner paid. Read More: Check Out: Here's a look at what car experts said are the classic cars that are not worth the cash. Also see seven things to know if you want to buy a classic car. What use is a car if it's too scary to drive? Erin Kemp, a consumer advocate for Bumper, said that the Ford Pinto's safety concerns far outweigh any financial benefit owners would get. 'The Pinto is well-known for its unsafe design — the uncovered fuel tank was prone to bursting in rear-end crashes, making it a risky choice for collectors. Despite Ford's later adjustments, most Pintos rusted or were discarded, leaving just a few around today,' Kemper said. Discover More: This model was trying to capitalize on the excitement of the earlier Shelby Mustangs, but Kemp commented that it simply does not measure up. 'With poor performance and style that falls short of rivals such as Pontiac or Dodge, you should explore elsewhere for a vintage muscle car investment,' Kemp said, adding that it's not fast and its build is unattractively bulky. The DeLorean will always be associated with the popularity of 'Back to the Future,' but that doesn't necessarily make the 1980-1981 models solid investments. Joe Giranda, director of sales and marketing at CFR Classic, said its build quality and performance drag down its worth. 'The underwhelming PRV V6 engine makes just 130 horsepower, and early production models were plagued with reliability issues. The hefty price of this model is due to nostalgia, but mechanically, it's a headache that rarely matches its inflated price tag,' he said. 'The 1971 to 1977 Chevrolet Vega is, in most circles, considered a disaster waiting to happen,' Giranda said. He explained that the aluminum engine is notorious for overheating and failing prematurely. 'Add in rust problems and the low resale price, and it's an even less appealing classic with expensive maintenance costs,' he said. Hagerty Insurance reported that a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T in good condition can be worth $98,000, but does it deliver? Evaldas Zabitis, automotive expert at carVertical, said no. 'They look and run great but aren't four times better than, let's say, the 1971 Dodge Demon, which costs four times less. Right now, these Chargers are overpriced, making them a risky asset for collectors and out of reach for regular car enthusiasts,' he said. More From GOBankingRates25 Places To Buy a Home If You Want It To Gain Value This article originally appeared on 5 Classic Cars That Aren't Worth the Money, According to Car Experts
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Maryland county sheriff renews efforts to solve serial rape cold case
Maryland detectives are back on the hunt to identify a man who they believe targeted women over 25 years ago by offering them a ride under false pretenses, and allegedly attempting or successfully raping them, according to law enforcement officials. The Charles County Sheriff's Office reopened a cold case into an alleged serial rapist who, between November 1996 and August 2003, picked women up in Washington, D.C., and Prince George's County, Maryland, before driving them to Charles County. Once there, the unknown man allegedly physically attacked and sexually assaulted his victims. Investigators describe the suspect as a Black man who at the time of the crimes was believed to be in his late 30s to early 50s, though is now likely in his 50s to 70s. The suspect reportedly used the names Jerry, Jimmy, George and James, had a stocky build, prominent overbite and a short-cropped haircut. Attempted Murder Fugitive Busted As 40-Year Scheme Posing As Dead College Mate Unravels Investigators say the suspect had access to multiple vehicles, including a 1996 green-lime Ford pickup truck, red station wagon, red small passenger car like a Ford Pinto, Escort or Toyota with partial Maryland tags FG-549, 594 or 546, and a teal passenger vehicle. Read On The Fox News App In an article from the Maryland Independent on April 25, 2003, the Charles County Sheriff's Office said a 39-year-old woman accepted a ride after midnight on April 14, from a man driving a teal late-model Buick Skylark. After the man picked the woman up, he drove her to Bryans Road in Charles County, where he allegedly raped her in the vehicle and later dropped her off in a parking lot at a nearby townhouse development. Law enforcement officials said there were similarities between the crime on April 14 and 10 others that occurred since September 1996. Ice Removes 'Foreign Fugitive' Wanted In Mexico On Rape Charge "We feel very confident these cases are the same person," then-Capt. Joseph Montminy of the Charles County Sheriff's office said at the time. "We think there's likely other cases that have not been reported." The investigation found that in each case, the victims were African-American women between the ages of 18 and 45, who were alone. Victims told investigators the suspect either ordered the women into his car at gunpoint, or he lured them into the vehicle by offering them rides. Fugitive On Fbi's 10 Most Wanted List For Killing His Bride In Illinois Captured In Mexico The publication reported that sometimes, the suspect allegedly locked the women inside his vehicle before driving them to Charles County. Two of the women reportedly accepted rides and fell asleep, only to wake up in Charles County. Another victim reportedly told investigators she was kept in a headlock until she grabbed the steering wheel and drove the vehicle into a ditch. Physical evidence had been collected at the time of the article in 2003, which investigators hoped to be able to use to link the suspect to the attacks. Using forensic evidence and investigative work, investigators have linked multiple cases to the suspect and have identified him as a violent serial sex offender. Detectives are asking the public to contact them if they have information that could help solve the case. Anonymous tips can be left by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, or by visiting article source: Maryland county sheriff renews efforts to solve serial rape cold case
