Survey Says: Germans Will Abandon Their Cars
Until recently, popular wisdom had it that Germans would rather not eat than give up their cars. According to lore, Germans even eschew back seat loving – because it might spoil the immaculate interior. Horrors of horrors: The Teutonic automotive love affair may be losing its lust. Nearly one third of Germans contemplate getting rid of at least one of their cars in the next six to twelve months. This according to a study commissioned by Europcar, a large European car rental company that has a vested interest in these developments. The shocking study has been published in Das Autohaus.
Last year, only 17 percent of the Germans had announced they would dump their cars and switch to public transportation, car sharing, rental cars, or mopeds. Never mind that they didn’t follow through. According to the ever so efficient Kraftfahrtbundesamt, Germans bought 26.1 percent more cars in the first nine months of 2009 than in 2008. Sales of used cars dropped by only 1.6 percent. Europcar hopes that a new trend is their friend: All indications say the German Abwrackprämien-powered sales orgy is about to experience a sudden interuptus in October after the financial lube has dried up. But a third of German cars being retired and not replaced next year? A rental car company’s wet dream.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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I think part of the reason kids in America don't seem in a hurry to get thier licenses is that these days, Mommy and Daddy are more than willing to cart the little darlings around. Heaven forbid that little darling is out of their sight in the world full of (media overblown) child molesters. When I was a kid (I'm 40 now), if I wanted or needed to get somewhere I had two choices: walk, or bicycle. Or don't go. Fun during the winter in Maine. Mom and Dad sure weren't going to give me a ride, they were busy working. Needless to say, I got my license at age 17. it is certainly possible to do without a car in Germany or San Francisco(!). I think I would rather own a car in NYC than San Francisco. Not much chance of it in rural Maine or Montana.
Wow, after seeing Bertel Schmitt and others demolish the "abandoning cars" study "conclusion"... ... it is clear all it was greenie wishful thinking, PR pap.