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Why Detroit Tanked
Jun. 2nd, 2007 08:44 pm
During the first big oil crisis, back before most people reading this were alive, Ford said "Americans don't want small cars." Then they gave us the Pinto. After a few years, Ford said "See? We told you so."
And Chevrolet said "Americans don't want small cars." Then they gave us the Vega. After a few years, Chevrolet said "See? We told you so."
And Toyota said "Hmmm... maybe Americans WILL buy a small car if it's good." Then they gave us the Corolla. After a few years, Toyota said "See? We told you so."
Today Toyota is the biggest auto manufacturer in the world. And the executives at Ford and Chevrolet (the ones that still have jobs) are standing around with that deer-in-the-headlights look in their eyes, saying "We just don't understand what happened! The 1957 Chevrolets we are building today are the best 1957 Chevrolets ever! Why won't people buy them?"
And Chevrolet said "Americans don't want small cars." Then they gave us the Vega. After a few years, Chevrolet said "See? We told you so."
And Toyota said "Hmmm... maybe Americans WILL buy a small car if it's good." Then they gave us the Corolla. After a few years, Toyota said "See? We told you so."
Today Toyota is the biggest auto manufacturer in the world. And the executives at Ford and Chevrolet (the ones that still have jobs) are standing around with that deer-in-the-headlights look in their eyes, saying "We just don't understand what happened! The 1957 Chevrolets we are building today are the best 1957 Chevrolets ever! Why won't people buy them?"
