4 ms·

> I think the auto-industry needs to be kicked what specifically do you propose? I am genuinely interested. Who should do what?

silon7 11y ago
Disband all corporations > 1000 people.
- ethbro 11y ago
  Don't know why you're getting downvotes without comments. It's as valid an opinion as any, especially given the leverage you can wield with 1,000 employees these days. I don't think anyone would argue that there isn't a certain size of corporation over which there are more disadvantages than advantages (to society at least).
marincounty 11y ago
This won't be popular, but since I could drive (15 1/2), what has bothered me about the auto industry is the average customer. I have never got my head around people who buy these vechicles filled with gadgets, and expect these gadgets to last for more than a few seasons. (I know this is offtopic, and the discussion is about emmissions and cheaters, but if customers realized just how hard it is to get these sporty vechicles to run terrific at all times right--while being essentially choked by a plethora of smog devices. Well they might not be so picky.) I've sold cars. I've worked as a mechanic. I'm not going to spout off a lot of advice, but there's some things I feel should be said: 1. If buying used, forget about that "I need to bring my mechanic by, before I buy." That's used car lot advice. Not private sale advice. Bring cash if you wanted good deal. The better cars evaporate pretty quick. 2. Forget about all the gadgets. Roll up your own windows. A good heater on a used car is nothing more than an engine that's running hot, or the thermostat is missing or stuck. Look for vechicles that are built well. A used Toyota is a safe bet. 3. Early on learn a little about auto mechanics. Over a lifetime, you will be suprised how much you save. With today's three propriariary, computer cars--well it's more difficult, but then again, you have the Internet. 4. When buying a vechicle research the drivetrain, and engine. Is the drivetrain time tested? Is the engine reliable? 5. Forget about color, sear heaters, all the gadgets. They just Break down. My father's quote on electric Windows, "The day I can't roll down my own windows--take me out of my misery." My father was old school though. He always had an older vechicle, with enough modifications to outrun the State police--if needed. A Mickey's beer between his leg, and a lit Carleton in his lips. Car security was a kill switch running between the secondary wire on the distributer, and a switch in the cab, and a claw hammer behind the seat. Times were definetly different back then.
- marincounty 11y ago
  Can't edit?
- TeMPOraL 11y ago
  > if customers realized just how hard it is to get these sporty vechicles to run terrific at all times right--while being essentially choked by a plethora of smog devices. Well they might not be so picky. We already are not picky. We've been used to buying crap for the last few decades, when companies realized they don't have to care about quality. Between planned obsolescence and skimping on manufacturing & QA, there are almost no good-quality products available on market. Everything is designed to be as bad as possible while still being sellable. Yes, making quality things is hard, but it's not that hard. And, curiously, it has been done before - products manufactured more than few decades ago were much better than their current equivalents - be it shoes, furniture, or appliances like washing machines, microwave ovens or electric kettles. Many still use those products of the past today. Companies started making crap products on purpose, and I believe that we absolutely should be much more picky and demanding than we're now. The only reason this shit flies is because we can't coordinate well enough to push back.
TeMPOraL 11y ago
Just fine them for transgressions. But like, seriously fine them. VW is worth ~350 billion Euro, had 200 billion Euro of revenue and 10 billion Euro of profits (2014 data). Fine them those 10 billion EUR. And if they squeal, fine them 20 more. That's more than enough to erase all the damage they did, account for unfair market advantage and do some serious progress on environmental issues. If it doesn't hurt, they won't learn.

silon7 11y ago

Disband all corporations > 1000 people.

ethbro 11y ago
Don't know why you're getting downvotes without comments. It's as valid an opinion as any, especially given the leverage you can wield with 1,000 employees these days. I don't think anyone would argue that there isn't a certain size of corporation over which there are more disadvantages than advantages (to society at least).

marincounty 11y ago

This won't be popular, but since I could drive (15 1/2), what has bothered me about the auto industry is the average customer. I have never got my head around people who buy these vechicles filled with gadgets, and expect these gadgets to last for more than a few seasons. (I know this is offtopic, and the discussion is about emmissions and cheaters, but if customers realized just how hard it is to get these sporty vechicles to run terrific at all times right--while being essentially choked by a plethora of smog devices. Well they might not be so picky.) I've sold cars. I've worked as a mechanic. I'm not going to spout off a lot of advice, but there's some things I feel should be said: 1. If buying used, forget about that "I need to bring my mechanic by, before I buy." That's used car lot advice. Not private sale advice. Bring cash if you wanted good deal. The better cars evaporate pretty quick. 2. Forget about all the gadgets. Roll up your own windows. A good heater on a used car is nothing more than an engine that's running hot, or the thermostat is missing or stuck. Look for vechicles that are built well. A used Toyota is a safe bet. 3. Early on learn a little about auto mechanics. Over a lifetime, you will be suprised how much you save. With today's three propriariary, computer cars--well it's more difficult, but then again, you have the Internet. 4. When buying a vechicle research the drivetrain, and engine. Is the drivetrain time tested? Is the engine reliable? 5. Forget about color, sear heaters, all the gadgets. They just Break down. My father's quote on electric Windows, "The day I can't roll down my own windows--take me out of my misery." My father was old school though. He always had an older vechicle, with enough modifications to outrun the State police--if needed. A Mickey's beer between his leg, and a lit Carleton in his lips. Car security was a kill switch running between the secondary wire on the distributer, and a switch in the cab, and a claw hammer behind the seat. Times were definetly different back then.

marincounty 11y ago
Can't edit?
TeMPOraL 11y ago
> if customers realized just how hard it is to get these sporty vechicles to run terrific at all times right--while being essentially choked by a plethora of smog devices. Well they might not be so picky. We already are not picky. We've been used to buying crap for the last few decades, when companies realized they don't have to care about quality. Between planned obsolescence and skimping on manufacturing & QA, there are almost no good-quality products available on market. Everything is designed to be as bad as possible while still being sellable. Yes, making quality things is hard, but it's not that hard. And, curiously, it has been done before - products manufactured more than few decades ago were much better than their current equivalents - be it shoes, furniture, or appliances like washing machines, microwave ovens or electric kettles. Many still use those products of the past today. Companies started making crap products on purpose, and I believe that we absolutely should be much more picky and demanding than we're now. The only reason this shit flies is because we can't coordinate well enough to push back.

TeMPOraL 11y ago

Just fine them for transgressions. But like, seriously fine them. VW is worth ~350 billion Euro, had 200 billion Euro of revenue and 10 billion Euro of profits (2014 data). Fine them those 10 billion EUR. And if they squeal, fine them 20 more. That's more than enough to erase all the damage they did, account for unfair market advantage and do some serious progress on environmental issues. If it doesn't hurt, they won't learn.