Ask the Best and Brightest: What Would You Have the MSM Ask the Auto Industry's Best and Brightest?
by
Stewart Dean
Published: April 10th, 2009
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I listened with some outrage and frustration to an NPR interview with Chrysler’s “president” at the NY Auto Show this AM. It was a farrago (my apologies, Robert) of clueless questions. The interviewer didn’t have any command of the history or the facts of Chrysler’s descent into disgrace. He might as well have been interviewing The Wizard of Oz about his plans for conquering the Wicked Witch’s flying monkeys. (About the same reality level.) So here’s my question for TTAC’s Best and Brightest: what set of questions and/or facts should a reporter use when interviewing motor industry flacks and executives? The MSM needs to burn off the smoke and smash the mirrors. Let’s give them a hand.
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When is the "personal coupe" coming back?
Hey Davey49, I’d say yes for question 1. the interiors of the RAM, Journey and Grand Caravan look pretty nice to me. Unfortunately, to stay competitive, all their interiors have to look more than pretty nice, and the entire product range has to look more than pretty nice. Three Chrysler products were recently in my neighbor's driveway as rentals. They were horrible, and not even up to the "standard" set by a 1993 Mazda parked less than 100 feet away.
Thanx Stewart...now I know what a "confused medley" is. Questions that come to mind.. to GM: 1)Are you all really betting the future of North American GM on the "Volt"...an untried, unproven concept that by your own admission will sell poorly at minimal profit? Any other back-up plans? 2)Was the fiasco that the "mid-80s GM diesel cars" were a learning experience? A brilliant calculated move to ensure that light and medium diesel engines would have minimal impact in American vehicles? to EPA, CARB, ASTM: Now that ultra-low sulpher diesel has been accomplished, how is it that minimum cetane standards remain at a miserable "maybe 40", ensuring a future of rough-running, hard-to-comply engines that will no doubt have more than their share of emission warranty and driveability problems?
"Unfortunately, to stay competitive, all their interiors have to look more than pretty nice, and the entire product range has to look more than pretty nice." I say the money is better spent elsewhere. The fuzz/rubber sprayed plastic that everyone loves is also harder to keep clean. Plus I'd rather have the money spent on improving reliability, safety, fuel economy and keeping jobs in the US. I wonder what the reduction in per unit profit is on the no better selling new Malibu is as opposed to the old version.