Porsche chief's disdain for America

The American Thinker ^ | 10-11-06 | Thomas Lifson

[Renfield]

Davids Medienkritik discovered deep condescension toward America from a German executive whose company makes most of its money here. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking defends the German “social model” of capitalism, and implies that we Americans are barely out of the backwoods with our rifles.

Europe’s culture is decidedly older than that of the USA. The Fuggers were doing business, while hunting was still the order of the day in America. Right now 37 million people in the USA live below the poverty line. The gulf between poor and rich has widened brutally. Do we want to have a situation like that in Europe and particularly in Germany?

Why would anyone buy an expensive car from a company whose head looks down on him?

I wonder what Herr Wiedeking has to say about the Japanese after a beers?

[truth_seeker]

"German management is a bit too set in their ways and needs outside consulting support or it will die."

In spite of your claims, BMW and Porsche are among the very most profitable vehicle companies. They must be doing a few things well.

[truth_seeker]

"I can personally attest to the fact that BMW makes sports cars."

When I lived in Germany in 1970 we often went to Hockenheimring, for local races.

One open class race featured a Corvette and a BMW 2002; both highly modified.

Fun to watch.

BMW pretty much demonstrated the "sport sedan" concept. Others have followed, but few do it as well.

German cars have "German Car Soul." Which is something only German Car drivers understand.

If this means nothing to you, it means nothing to you.

If it DOES mean something to you, it is a BIG DEAL.

It is for me.

[truth_seeker]

"Most people don't know that Porsches are built by "green card" workers from places like Turkey."

Equally true for Mercedes, BMW, and VW/Audi--varying degrees by model.

Latest trend is to build certain models outside Germany.

BMW builds X5 SUVs and sports cars in USA. Mercedes builds ML SUV in USA. BMW builds X3 SUV in Austria. etc.

So if a BMW is built in Germany by Germans or Turks, in USA by Americans or in Austria it is built to consistent and uniform high standards.

Standards which most auto enthusiasts understand and appreciate.

[MARKUSPRIME]

"In the end, I would say that this article from David's Medienkritik and many reactions on this board remind me of other boycotts because of felt insults, Danish cookies for example."

I dont see how they remind you of the muslims rioting,killing,and burning embassy buildings because of cartoons of mohammed. All we do here is have discussion,sometimes heated and sometimes not(thats what free civilized people do without killing each other). If we were acting like the muslims we would be bombing porshe and bmw dealerships, harassing and beheading germans in the streets, and burning down thier embassy in DC. Hardly the same. Ease off the throttle friend.

[RobbyS]

The Germans, like the French, have a special kind of poor--the Muslims. They can't be bougth off with social beneefits and increasingly they won't assimilate. If Turkey is admitted to the EU, Katy bar the door!

[CaptainCanada]

You obviously have not learned the lesson I have here.
When one of your countrymen says anything that can be interpreted as anti-American, you will find that a number of Freepers here have difficulty in dealing with criticism of the U.S. and that will manifest itself in a general dislike for you, your countrymen, your country, your social and economic policies, etc.
My advice is don't take it personally or try to argue as you will only get more of the same.
We Canadians have been on the receiving end here many times as occasionally our politicians or our media will say something stupid about American foreign policy.
Additionally I suggest that you apologize for your countryman's ignorant and inflammatory statements.
;)

[aculeus]

we have proof delivered over the centuries that our idea about economies works

So did your gas chambers.

[bannie]

Am I correct in my understanding that employment in Germany is screwed up because they are supporting their East German cousins? As I understand it, people can't even work full-time because they have to roll over to make jobs for others.

?

[Leo Farnsworth]

Porsche is very different than BMW.

Porsche is owned by VW.

Ferdinand Piëch (past Chairman of the Board of Management) had a vision of a SUV for Porsche, but knew it had to be co-developed with VW money. Ferdinand Piëch also envisioned the US market buying over (I am not making this up) 100,000 VW Phaeton sedans at $80,000 each. He announced his retirement from the Chairmanship prior to the cancellation of the very, very poorly selling Phaeton.

Bad management. Additionally Porsche would not have been in business without outside support ($$$ - Volkswagen) and foreign consulting.

Now BMW is brilliant. Though it does have stock sold publicly, the majority is owned by five or so families who control the company completely. And with this tightly held control comes superior management.

An example of bad management followed by an example of good management:

Bad:
Ferdinand Piëch announced that VW had purchased Rolls Royce and with it Bentley. The sum of money paid shocked analysts as Rolls Royce had been unprofitable and its manufacturing plants too low-tech. Ferdinand Piëch stated that the cachet of the Rolls name made the price paid worth it. Ferdinand Piëch was a happy man as he had beaten BMW who was also bidding for the Prized company.

Good:
Some weeks later BMW announced plans for it's new Rolls Royce. Plants were being built and models were being built up in clay. Ferdinand Piëch (remember this VW guy?)was dismayed to learn VW had purchased the right to the AIRCRAFT name and not the Automobile rights.

Today VW makes Bentleys - based on Audis and the old Phaeton platform. Bentley is selling well, Rolls perhaps less well but BMW will do well with Rolls over the years.

Bentley will just be a VW, Porsche, Audi with different parts that fall off.

Their management is totally different. As you can see, I do not think highly of VW management and know a bit of what I write about. BMW is SUPERIOR management.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Oh poor little captain canuckistan. :)

[Schweinhund]

Yes, very good point. No wait, actually it was retarded and did not in any way relate to the topic. I always confuse that.

[Schweinhund]

Yeah, but what I mean is, DM blog takes something totally out of context, exaggerates it and then waits for the rage to build up.

Although I have to admit that the rage most US citizens can build up over this 'no culture' thing is way below what Muslims can develop from their piquant mixture of pride and inferiority complex.

[CaptainCanada]

LOL. Thanks for proving my point.

[MARKUSPRIME]

You are welcome. /pokes

[MARKUSPRIME]

Personally it does'nt bother me,but after a few beers I may post some stimuli to see some responses. Hehe.

[CaptainCanada]

many reactions on this board remind me of other boycotts because of felt insults, Danish cookies for example.

You are correct.
It is ironic that when someone from another country criticizes the U.S., there are those here who react not by insulting the critic but by insulting and denegrating the entire country (even if they are allied countries).

[Hot Tabasco]

What’s your opinion American Porsche owners?

Rich Americans who can afford them. Nothing more, nothing less.........

Myself, if I were RICH, I'd be driving a Honda S-2000 but since I'm not, I'm still driving a '95 Del Sol with 158,000 miles........

The real question should be "What's your opinion of German elitists?" My answer is they should have been treated the same way Hiroshima was ...........

[muir_redwoods]

I sure hope Germany, France and Italy continue volunarily to remain uncompetitive. It leaves the field of competitive economics relatively uncluttered.

[Hammerhead]

sorry, Porsche and convertibles in general SCREAM "LOOK AT ME EVERYBODY!!! Im a fat boring old guy and I need your attention!!!"

As for you 'men' driving those little Honda convertible et. al, GIRL CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Do yourself a favor, buy a pickup and a HD Road King Classic.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Dont let it get to you. We could have air dominance over old Europe in less than a day or so.This isnt WW2. Jealousy is the best form of flattery.They have hated us since after the American revolution. Im just waiting for the socialist EU to merge with Russia and China so they can reduce American power. We all know they want to.Their citizens are so brainwashed with anti-americanism propaganda they would swear their own sovereignty away just to stick it in the eye of the US.Sad and pathetic at the same time.