Re: [FWDLK] Fw: An Automotive Fable

[David Homstad <dhomstad@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

"A $3,000.00 new car, in 1965 now costs about $30,000.00.
Can you imagine dropping 30K on a new car, every three years?"

It's all relative. In both cases, 1965 and today, the cost of a new car is
about 6 months wages for a middle class worker. You can say the same for the
price of gas or houses, also about 10 times the 1965 level. But todays cars
are much improved, have more features, last twice as long, get better mpg,
and don't rust out in 3 years.

Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500


-----Original Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
[mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of eastern sierra Adj Services
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 1:58 AM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Fw: An Automotive Fable

Mark's parable also concerned the "old way" of conducting American
corporate business, with its top heavy, complacent, slow-to-change or to
react , upper managerial  bureaucratic inertia (whew).

The domestic product quality was poor, because it didn't "need" to be
improved, because the domestic market was covered, by the Big 3 (the
parable didn't address THAT  real issue).

So, yeah, we're all driving better cars, now (those of us who can afford
to buy them.

Back in the 50's/60's, the American REAL-wage was such that people could
afford to buy new cars every 2-4 years.

A $3,000.00 new car, in 1965 now costs about $30,000.00.

Can you imagine dropping 30K on a new car, every three years?

Now, if the average-guy buys a new car, he'd better plan on maintaining
and owning it for 10 years, and yeah, that new car probably has a
reasonable service life of 15 years.

Back on subject: a  slow-moving (or, immobile) target is the easist to
attack.

and, another reason for the successful invasion was to establish a
"native" identity (like "American Honda", or the Toy-boat company, with
its seemingly- plastering its offensive logo everywhere,  on TV., or its
even being admitted to NASCAR competition, or having "real" Americans
advertise their products, here).

Neil Vedder

*************************************************************

To unsubscribe or set your subscription options, please go to
http://lists.psu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=l-forwardlook&A=1

*************************************************************

To unsubscribe or set your subscription options, please go to
http://lists.psu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=l-forwardlook&A=1