Deutschland Uber Alles
It is interesting looking back at the last thirty-odd years of the
motoring industry, and seeing the changes in power base which have occurred in that time.
Hearken back to the 60’s and I believe that the USA was the leader in
those days. Perhaps not so much in the new technology of the individual car, but in the
technology of vehicle production. The giant corporations like GM and Ford flourished and
the others were left behind.
During the 70’s the American supremacy waned, along with its fortunes
in the VN conflict. The Japanese were then the next to take up the running. The enormous
growth of Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi saw them become household names, if the
household didn’t actually have one in the garage as well! The Japanese have had
twenty years of phenomenal expansion, but recently, this has ground to a halt.
The reasons for this are not all "Asian Economic Downturn". I
believe it was just not possible to maintain this growth and rate of production. The
Japanese were guilty of over-production. The market for "ordinary" cars had
become satiated. Just how many Corolla’s can the world buy?
In some ways, the cars had become too good - the life span for a modern
mass-produced Japanese car is prodigious and the "ordinary" motorist began to
hang on to his or her Corolla. It hadn’t worn out, so why replace it? (Look at
Bangkok taxis, if you don’t believe me!)
In the mid 90’s the manufacturers began frantically looking for new
markets to place the cars rolling off the assembly lines. Indonesia, China, Malaysia,
India, and emerging Europe (after the lifting of the hammer and the sickle), were all to
see the Japanese invasion. But it was too soon in the world’s history and it was, by
then, too late for the oriental manufacturers.
The individual countries could not afford to pay for the roller-coaster of
Corollas and their ilk, so Japan had to rein back production and thus the seeds of
recession were born in the Japanese Auto industry.
So where does that leave us now? It is my view that the next five years
will bring on the Blitzkreig that Adolf and his mates couldn’t do all those years
ago. The European Motor Industry is in good shape, the products are sound, the European
Common Market will strengthen their power and Europe is ready to take over where Japan
held sway only a couple of years ago.
And the Europeans with the most potential? Germany. Look at the strength
and depth of VW. Where is Mercedes-Benz worldwide? The market penetration of BMW and the
aggressive Audi. I believe all the pointers are in place. Additionally, the might of the
US car-makers is also centered in Germany, with Ford and GM already firmly dug in.
Mark my words, the next motor car "super power" is Germany. The
currency is stable, the products are well engineered, the management are "switched
on" and Germany is ready to replace those Corollas in homes all over the world. It
will be Deutscheland Uber Alles. Mind you, I could be totally wrong, but I don’t
think so!
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week I was so engrossed in writing the column I forgot to put in an
Autotrivia Quiz question. How remiss of me! I’ll correct that mistake right now. We
have spoken of Porsche last week and their famous 911 series. However, long before the
illustrious Dr Porsche built the cars bearing his own name, he was famous for designing
cars powered by electric motors. What was different about the placement of the engines for
these cars? The usual Automania FREE BEER of the week to the first correct answer. Fax or
email the Editorial Office! First in, best dressed!
It is interesting to note that the original 911 Porsche manufacturing crew
still has an enormous impact on the motoring world today. The head of the engine design
team for the 911’s was Ferdinand Piech, now the boss of the VW conglomerate. His
attitudes to build quality, which stems from those years, is one of the reasons the cars
under his umbrella are enjoying such a high reputation in the present day.
I must admit I have an enormous admiration for the cars from the Porsche
factory. The attention to detail, the fit of the body panels, the materials used in
construction and design are truly first class. This is one make of vehicle which has
earned its reputation through quality and performance, not through slick advertising
campaigns. As a friend of mine said, who used to work in a Porsche outlet, "I
don’t sell these cars. People come in and buy them." There’s a world of
difference, I’m sure you’ll agree.
Fuel for Thought
Filled up at a servo (Oz slang for "Service Station") the other
day, out in the countryside surrounding the Eastern Seaboard. So what’s so strange
about that, I hear you ask? Nothing really, other than the petrol seemed very much more
"aromatic" than the stuff I get locally.
Mira hadn’t gone more than a couple of clicks down the road when it
began to lose power. Quick check of the gauges showed all the needles hanging in the right
place, no warning lights, no overheating. But the car was definitely labouring and I could
detect that strange aroma again.
Almost on the point of pulling over, the engine picked up again and we
were off. It did this a couple of times on the way back to Pattaya, and every time there
was the strange smell.
Apparently, what happens at some of these more undisciplined petrol
outlets is they mix cheap aromatic solvents in with the normal petrol. The resultant brew
probably has an octane rating around the 70’s or 80’s and some constituents do
not even mix particularly well with the petrol. Hence the poor performance and funny
"nose".
You can get commercial additives to disperse these contaminants, but the
cure is to stick with known reliable stations. "Caveat Emptor"!
