I used to aspire to one. Their long sloping fenders that they had until the mid-60s are still worthy.
Their product from the 70s through the 90s looked like 50s Buicks, but without any flair whatsoever.
Since they changed hands a number of times, their product has gotten steadily worse. Would anyone in their right mind be caught dead in a Rolls-Royce? Their current products are unbelievably gaudy.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Disney
What do you call people who repackage cliches?
Imagineers!
Ah Disney, what an arrogant bunch.
Living in Southern California, I have been around them longer than most. Disney used to be movies and a couple of theme parks. Walt had his weirdness and his issues, but everything felt more real in a way.
Over time, Disney has grown into more than a corporation. It's a rigid happy orthodoxy.
After not having been to any of their parks for many years, I went to one of their malls. Downtown Disney is extremely oppressive. Sound systems follow you everywhere. Precisely placed food stands make the whole place smell like a sweets factory where they use too much corn syrup.
Other places designed by Disney people feel the same way to varying degrees. San Diego's Seaport Village has a similar oppressive fakeness about it.
Imagineers!
Ah Disney, what an arrogant bunch.
Living in Southern California, I have been around them longer than most. Disney used to be movies and a couple of theme parks. Walt had his weirdness and his issues, but everything felt more real in a way.
Over time, Disney has grown into more than a corporation. It's a rigid happy orthodoxy.
After not having been to any of their parks for many years, I went to one of their malls. Downtown Disney is extremely oppressive. Sound systems follow you everywhere. Precisely placed food stands make the whole place smell like a sweets factory where they use too much corn syrup.
Other places designed by Disney people feel the same way to varying degrees. San Diego's Seaport Village has a similar oppressive fakeness about it.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Leica
My first lesson in product inferiority came from some now deceased cousins around 1980. "Any time production is moved, quality goes down."
They were antique dealers who traded in Leicas, real Leicas from Germany.
Subsequent products are competent, but they're just cameras.
They were antique dealers who traded in Leicas, real Leicas from Germany.
Subsequent products are competent, but they're just cameras.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Converse
When I went to Japan in 1995, there was a buy-American craze running full blast. Converse shoes were everywhere. There was nothing like Converse shoes.
Since then, production was moved to China. The only thing that's right about them is the high price. Knock-offs, most likely from the same factories, abound. Why shouldn't they? None of them are really Converse. There is no reason to pay a premium price.
Since then, production was moved to China. The only thing that's right about them is the high price. Knock-offs, most likely from the same factories, abound. Why shouldn't they? None of them are really Converse. There is no reason to pay a premium price.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Ford
Ford should win an award for cynicism. Due to currency trouble, the second generation Focus never came to the US. I see them on the road all the time, because they do sell German made Foci in Mexico, where the currency has more trouble.
Why do they keep selling America the first generation car? Do they think we don't have the internet?
Why do they keep selling America the first generation car? Do they think we don't have the internet?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Toyota
Toyota's were bulletproof for many years. In the 90s, I remember someone asking me if I thought they might have, "Too much quality." I didn't think so, but Toyota did.
Over time, they started a process of decontenting, which continues through the present day. One can only wonder why a company making the best product at a reasonable price would want to change. They eventually became bigger than General Motors, but look what happened to them.
Now, car buyers have to read reports on each individual model. Toyota was the last reliable make. I'm glad I read up on things, because I could have easily bought a Yaris, which is known as the Vitz in other places.
Over time, they started a process of decontenting, which continues through the present day. One can only wonder why a company making the best product at a reasonable price would want to change. They eventually became bigger than General Motors, but look what happened to them.
Now, car buyers have to read reports on each individual model. Toyota was the last reliable make. I'm glad I read up on things, because I could have easily bought a Yaris, which is known as the Vitz in other places.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Chevrolet
General Motors is one of the worst companies when it comes to selling their products based on sentimental patriotism. They loudly complain about imports. I have always wondered why.
Chevrolet used to mean something. They were solid American cars. Now, they can be anything. Chevy is just a logo. Parts, and indeed the whole car, can come from anywhere. In some ways, they have been consistent.
I quote from a review of the Aveo, "Having spent many years proving that they can't build a small car in America, GM now proves that they can't build one in Korea either."
Chevrolet used to mean something. They were solid American cars. Now, they can be anything. Chevy is just a logo. Parts, and indeed the whole car, can come from anywhere. In some ways, they have been consistent.
I quote from a review of the Aveo, "Having spent many years proving that they can't build a small car in America, GM now proves that they can't build one in Korea either."
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