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In response to a question about the Chevy Volt, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm says criticism of the car is “Un-American.” Oh, this is fun — mostly because the criticism quoted to Granholm wasn’t just advanced by Rush Limbaugh, but within the pages of the New York Times, where reviewer Edward Niedermeyer described the car as an “electric lemon”:
So the future of General Motors (and the $50 billion taxpayer investment in it) now depends on a vehicle that costs $41,000 but offers the performance and interior space of a $15,000 economy car.
Niedermeyer concluded that the only reason anyone would buy a Volt is if they view it as their personal responsibility to do so in support of the bailouts:
In the end, making the bailout work — whatever the cost — is the only good reason for buying a Volt… If G.M. were honest, it would market the car as a personal donation for, and vote of confidence in, the auto bailout.
This is what happens when government tries to get into the auto-making business. This reminds me of the arguments that patriotism demands people not game the individual mandate — “all our policy requires to be effective is that human nature not exist.” The audacity of suggesting that it is “Un-American” to criticize an American company’s product, fueled with taxpayer dollars, shows that she doesn’t understand the first thing about free speech or free markets. American consumers love to criticize and compare products, and they’ll make decisions based on their own priorities, not Granholm’s faux-patriotic guilt-tripping.
I’m no fan of GM cars, and never have been — I drive a Ford. If that makes me Un-American, well — I say that’s big talk for a governor born in Canada.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Funny, I learned from liberals that dissent was patriotic. Turns out I have much to learn.
$41K for a Volt is pure humor in this economy. Oh there is a tax incentive!?!. Hmm, maybe that would bring the price down to that of the gas-powered equivalent (I was thinking)? Oh darn!, GM going to take the full tax credit. I guess they are so financially in the hole that the tax break would only bring the price down to the maximum MSRP us consumers would even consider paying for it! See ya GM.
I used to like GM back in the day, like the 80's and earlier but since then the only thing to turn my head has been the Firebird on occasion until they killed it and possibly the resurrected Camaro. I grew up in the 70s and 80s back when cars were still made of steel and chrome instead of a plastic shell with excuses for bumpers and hubs. I like it when headlights and tail lights are oval-ish or square-ish, that is American. The jagged-angled crap they got now looks like an overzealous attempt to compete with foreign competition. Hey car designers, lesson #1, sharp angles and triangles SUCK! Slanted lights and that new caddy has got to go, the designs are un-American. I don't expect the car companies to model their cars after military aircraft like they did in the 50s but I don't understand why they have such a hard time getting the basic cues right. The Corvette is the closest car GM produces to have such a design. It's not perfect but you still see enough cues to remind you of the early-day Corvettes. The Nova, the Monte Carlo, the Dodge Charger…not enough cues. Are they waiting for some special year to pull the trigger or does the new generation of artists have no appreciation for beauty because computers are draining them of artistic creativity? The newer generations seem to be more fond of motorcycles ,custom spoilers and mufflers for their 4-cylinder imports that deliver a sound that seems to emphasize the sound of well…not having a muffler. The looks of a car don't count as much as they used to, but that is not the fault of consumers.
I've noticed a significant loss of refinement in Dodge and other vehicles in the 2000s, particularly in the interior and less options offered. Car companies are charging the same price or higher for something less than what they offered 5 years ago. The financial strain on the automotive industry is showing and the only answer seems to be to take the difference out on consumers.
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