I think I'm having a reality problem today. I seem to be arguing with an American. I'm defending the Americans and he's attacking them..... (Checks that he is actually in the Conservatory.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Jordan
Yes... if we can convince our own carmakers to actually make sensible cars, and not continue to build SUVs (they actually wonder why the SUVs don't sell when gas prices go up!).
Some old dogs just can't be taught new tricks, and when they start to suffer, sometimes they have to be put down.
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I think the problem is a few parts of upper management that are so tied to SUVs and have staked their futures to them they are not willing to give up on them. I expect that many (all?) of the design engineers, the plant workforce, the suppliers, etc., have no issue with changing to something if it keeps them in work. So the challenge has to provide the upper management with a way of saving face and career. And we have to accept that I guess it takes many years to do major changes/redesigns -- we're sort of stuck for a year or two at least.
The alternative of sacking the upper management is undoubtedly theraputic, but does set a rather worrying precedence, and really only causes harm to those who can sort the mess out. (I think you have your own version of
Fred Goodwin in the states, right?)
And if you can make a 1000mpg SUV, I don't see a problem with that (though, if you don't mind, I'll stick with my smaller car, cos it fits into my garage....).