Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 16:40:51 +0000 From: Johannes H Andersen <johsnopsamsafish.com> Subject: Re: Is It True?
Keith Grider wrote: > > It seems that they still have a problem with the rear of the car. The hatch > is missing! I lamented the unavailability of the 5 dr in the classic (after > 1980), in the 9-5 and now in teh 9-3. The GMization is underway. Blindly > respond to market surveys and ignore what they want. We will get opels > labeled as saabs with a floor mounted ignition key for that quaint feel. > This fallacy of surveys was pointed out in consumer reports last year (and > in the West Wing last week for all of those fans). Ask people what they want > in a new car and they almost unanimously reply 'reliability'. Ask which new > car had one of the highest consumer saticfaction ratings - Volvo S80. Look > at the statistics as to the worst reliablity for a new car and it was the > same car. It is not always what people SAY they want, that they actually > want. > > KeithG > The statement: "Saab bosses believe a booted car is essential for success in the small prestige market." says it all. This is a reactive design approach rather than a proactive. Consumer surveys might be good at sorting out the finishing details such as e.g. should the steering wheel be square or round? I can't imagine that a car such as the FIAT multipla has been favored by consumer surveys, yet is is now highly regarded in it's class of small MPVs. Johannes
