Well, being a salesman, I can understand and appreciate your statement. (:->)
But the problem that I have with your "irresponsible act story" is that I have
not seen DM advertising the Unimog as a grocery getter. (As you mentioned -
this didn't happen) This hype was created by the media and while I understand
your disgust with the thought of some idiot buying a Unimog instead of a
Navigator, if I was DaimlerC exec I'd be really happy to get the press
coverage. DaimlerC is really in the dumper right now. They are one of my
customers and the local plant has just announced over 900 layoffs (first
phase). They need all of the positive press they can get. I wouldn't waste
much time thinking about how some idiot is going to buy a Unimog and drive over
your wife's grocery getter. The chances of that happening are about the same
as a comet destroying your house.
But let's face it, we live in a capitalistic society where demand is often
created by marketing types. (Like myself!) Trying to explain why this is good
or bad is a moot point. If it is legal and there is money to be made at it,
people in the US will do it until it is illegal. (And perhaps after it is
illegal if it is lucrative enough - ex drugs) The alternative to capitalism
is something like socialism, and that hasn't been too successful. As a member
of a capitalistic/democratic society, people just can't hoist their will upon
one another and still maintain a "free" society. If they do, then it is no
longer a free society.
If the idea of a soccer mom driving a Unimog is really repulsive, you can press
for legislation outlawing large vehicles as you alluded too. Just don't be
surprised if your M35s are included in the legislation.
Dave
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
islander wrote:
> Hi Dave,
>
> >You could use the same logic to prevent folks from buying M35's for
> >non-commercial purposes. Think about it. I don't think it will be a
> >problem. If a soccer mom wanted to buy a 2 1/2 ton Navistar flatbed to go
> >get groceries, she could. But I don't see that happening too often.
>
> Yes, but M35s aren't being marketed to soccer moms ;-) Never, ever
> underestimate the power of marketing to sell people something today what
> they didn't want/need the day before. The point about the UNIMOG is
> moot, though, as apparently someone really goofed up the press release.
> It is obviously NOT going to be sold as a SUV so that pretty much ends
> the discussion.
>
> Steve
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Apr 04 2001 - 08:10:46 PDT