Tell them what they want!
The auto makers seem to be echoing the same beliefs. They seem to believe that people want giant SUVs and trucks. They are worried that if they do not continue to build big SUVs, people will simply hold onto the older ones they already have! What a crock!! That is small thinking and the leaders who perpetuate that should step down as THEY are the reason the companies are behind the ball.
People only want what they are told. I am sure everyone believes that they choose what they want because of their own needs. I am sure that is true to an extent. But entertain this thought… How many people needed Ford Excursions or Cadillac Escalades BEFORE they were made. Probably none. I don’t remember anyone ever saying that they wish someone would make the SUVs and trucks BIGGER. Industry created the want in us by making the product and saying it is better. I even remember some commercials comparing a new bigger SUV to the old smaller ones. There have been numerous pickup truck commercials geared towards the cave man in us guys showing the new BIGGER truck next to the old wimpy truck. We believed them and bought the bigger one. Damn the gas mileage or extra 5 minutes a day it takes to find parking spaces suitable. We wanted BIG!
If the auto makers would simply make commercials that portrayed big as stupid and very much out of style, people would not “want” big anymore. Look at the Prius… It wasn’t big nor very flashy when it came out but when a few Hollywood starts thought it was cool, people wanted them! The Smart car? It doesn’t get as good of gas mileage as the new VW Jetta with it’s new clean diesel. The Smart car has a 1.5 year waiting list because it’s cool! It’s not big.
Big is out. WAY out. Then why are the auto companies still making full size consumer trucks, SUVs and minivans? Why hasn’t the full size truck been moved to the back lot where it has always been and the new sleek, fuel efficient and modern vehicles moved out in front for all to see. When I drive by dealerships, I still see the big cars out front. That alone would make most energy and money conscience people drive right by. I say make and put out the cars people need and can afford. Let the people who still want big simply go to the back of the dealership and choose what they want. The auto makers and dealers need to TELL people what they want by SHOWING people what they want and in reality NEED. Fuel efficient, stylish cars that we can afford.
Kia, Hyundai, Honda & Toyota seem to be on top of things. Why can’t the big 3 get it?
