Nader

Ralph Nader, consumer advocate extraordinaire, took aim at the automotive industry again this week. And by automotive industry, when it comes to criticism, just like the media, Nader only means GM, Ford, and sometimes DCX because, as you all know -- Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are perfect.

Nader claims that the Big Three (which would actually include Toyota as the third but he doesn't mean that) have created a "dark age" in the industry because of a deliberate neglect of innovation. He gave no examples for this claim.

Next, he went on to talk about big losses for Ford and GM lately and is amazed that no one has called for the head of Wagoner or Ford. Good point. I've wondered the same thing.

Then, he moved onto a lame attack of SUVs. He lambasted the Big Three for relying on the higher profit margins of gigantic "profitable junk" as their market share diminished. I'm sorry but how is this a problem? People wanted SUVs. The Big Three built them. SUVs were bought. That's how capitalism works. Corporations follow market needs. If you want someone to blame SUVs for -- blame the people who bought them. Besides how is this a domestic issue? Foreign automakers have been coming out in full force with large, fuel inefficient ugly SUVs the past five years. Where's the outrage for the "profitable junk" that they make? Oh right, you won't see it.

Now the ever popular argument that domestic cars get poor fuel economy. He made the claim that the domestics have neglected to improve fuel efficiency. Well, with the exception of the Prius (which is the ugliest thing this side of an Aztek and handle worse than SUVs), so has everyone else (the Honda Insight is not a car -- its a tricycle with an engine). As for hybrids in general, everyone is scrambling to get the technology out. Ford has a hybrid midsize SUV, and GM will have a hybrid car, SUV and truck in the next year. Nissan still doesn't have one either.

Also, I'm sick of the assumption that foreign automakers have better fuel economy in normal vehicles. But, I guess if you repeat a lie enough, people will begin to believe it. Here's some proof against this lie.


So, where's the article that says foreign automakers have neglected innovation? Oh thats right, you won't find it because they are the darlings of the media. By the way, GM has had hybrid technology in its buses for quite sometime. Secondly, like a lot of people, I have reservations about hybrids because of their batteries. Will they last the lifetime of the car? If they die, how expensive will it be, because it'll be out of warranty by then? How much of an environmental impact will these batteries have when they are disposed of? Batteries are horrible things for the environment, but don't tell Cameron Diaz that. She might shit herself. But, I digress.

The last thing I want to bring up about Nader is the statement "Our government has the authority and the tools to move [innovation] into the assembly lines and the dealer showrooms." I'm sorry but that's a horrible plan. I believe in a free market. I believe that the market should dictate what corporations produce, not old hippies that think they're enlightened and know better because they drive a Prius. Mr. Nader, if you want government controlled industry - please move to China.

Tags: Chevrolet, Media, Nader, Politics, & Toyota