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Old 01-14-2009, 09:18 PM   #27 (permalink)
Compaq888
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: southern cali
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DMC - '99 Honda Civic DX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf View Post
No, they seem to be doing just the opposite: fooling themselves into believing that the general public only wants one thing, which - surprise! - happens to be just the thing they're selling. Just as Detroit did with SUVs and pickups: chanted the "Americans only want big cars" mantra to drown out the sound of their declining market share.

The fact is, there's no one thing that the general public wants. A company that builds just one model had better either admit that they're selling to a niche market (and plan accordingly), or diversify their product line.



That's not the point. Sure, those things would be nice to have (except the solar panels, which are a crock), but they also have to come in the kind of vehicle I want and/or need. Doesn't matter how good the Prius or new Insight does on mpg: I'm still not going to be driving a stodgy 5-passenger sedan. The guy that needs a pickup for work isn't either, nor is the minivan-driving soccer mom or delivery person. They need to start bringing hybrid systems (and other fuel-efficient tech) to other vehicle types.
They will but it costs a lot of money to produce a vehicle. The general public wants a 4 door sedan. Minivans and trucks are not selling in such high mass values so it won't bring as much profit as a 4 door sedan.
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