I wish I could remember who said it, but years ago I heard a businessman say that the most valuable thing any successful company has is its existing customer base. People in the non-profit sector say the same thing, once you've donated to a cause, you're likely to continue to do so. That's why it's surprising to me when companies decide to abandon or ignore their existing customers in favor of acquiring new customers with completely different tastes or interests. I understand the need/desire for brand extension and expanding your customer base but I think this is a case where ones reach should not exceed one's grasp. If you get too far from your existing customers' needs and interests you can put the entire enterprise at risk. I also understand that the auto industry is about as regulated at things get in Washington DC and the great pressure our nations “leaders” are placing on the industry to abandon fossil fuel and go electric.
I've said this before, I have no problem with EVs personally. I don't mind trading off a melifluous exhaust tone for maximum torque at stall. Yes, lithium batteries have environmental and human rights issues, just like petroleum or anything else humans use. My biggest concern is that it's quite clear that electrical grids in the U.S., UK, Europe, and Japan do not have the capacity nor reliability at this point to service a significant fraction of our transportation needs. The fact that we have literal know-nothings like Biden, Harris, Buttigieg, and Granholm ostensibly in charge of transportation and energy policy is literally frightening.
Miranda Devine at the New York Post recently did a long form piece demonstrating how few White House and cabinet level people have any experience at all in business. Most have been activists or academics.
I think I want to expand my "Are you capable?" quiz from just politicians to corporate officers as well:
1. Can you solder? Your choice of electrical or plumbing but we'll be testing for continuity or leaks. It's not like I'm asking them to weld or even braze, just a simple task most 12 year olds can accomplish.
2. Can you solve 4x=8 in your head? It's not caculus, just junior high level algebra.
3. If I give you some 2x4, a saw, a hammer, some nails, a tape measure and the hint "diagonals" can you frame a wall that's square and plumb?
4. Speaking of plumbing, do you know how to properly plunge a toilet? Do you know what that Allen wrench thing that comes with your garbage disposer is for?
5. Can you change a tire? I'm not asking if you know how to rotate, just not need assistance if you get a flat.
6. When was the last time you balanced your personal checking account?
7. When was the last time you cut your own grass? If the lawn mower won't start do you throw it away and buy another one, take it in to repair shop, or just get a can of ether (aka starting fluid)?
8. If you smoke, can you hand roll a cigarette or joint?
9. How many different kinds of saws or hammers can you identify?
10. What brand name do peoplae use as a generic for "reciprocating saw"?
11. What American company still makes (in the USA, btw) the best tongue and groove pliers (aka "water pump pliers")? Hint: they have handles dipped in blue plastic.
12. Can you write a short, three paragraph essay with no grammatical errors?
13. What's the worst mistake you ever made?
14. When was the last time you did laundry? Can you thread a sewing machine and sew two pieces of fabric together?
15. Can you make macaroni and cheese from scratch? How long do you have to boil river or pond water to make it safe to consume?
Come to think of it, after watching some of the childless weirdos with aposematically colored hair now teaching America’s kids, maybe passing this test should be required to get a teaching certificate.
More on America’s mediocre teachers and corporate leaders soon.
That test and a hard slap to the face should be a requirement to graduate high school.
Mr. Schreiber, is this a separate Substack? Despite having been a computer tech in my teens I'm hopelessly tech-illiterate. Where do I find more of your writings, sir?