As the economy drops lower and lower, manufacturers of many different kinds of products have begun to cut budgets and stop production on some of the lesser, non-selling models they release. This especially includes the automotive industry, which has lost a considerable amount of its sales and profit due to the falling economy. Some auto companies are even preparing to file for bankruptcy or sell themselves out (See “Chrysler Going Down”). This means auto companies are starting to phase out many models which stray from the norm, in order to cut cost. Does this mean the auto industry will stop making unique autos with special features and sport, or different, designs to attract consumers? Will every car on the road end up being the same basic design with the same features?
Stephanie Brinley, auto analyst at AutoPacific, Inc., an automotive marketing and product consulting firm, said “Many car buyers are still buying cars like they buy appliances. They buy a car that fits their life needs, but they are not purchasing it for the design or style. There’s no emotional attachment to it.”
If the automotive manufacturers pick up on this concept, that certainly will mean they will shift their efforts to creating more mainstream sedans, or popular car models. Of course, not many are planning to go out and buy a slick looking sports car or expensive joy ride, but does that mean the car manufacturers should faze them out? For some people, an automotive is more than just a vehicle or mode of transportation, it becomes part of their life and drive it not only because they love how it rides but also because of how it looks. If preference starts to go out the door, is it possible the auto industry will stop giving consumers the chance to even have one?
Most cars on the road today don’t offer much in the way of a unique driving experience. After all, when you check the stats across the board most autos stay within the same range of specifications and performance standards.
Do you think the automotive industry will phase out preference to make way for the loss of profit they are not taking on? How would you feel if they did?
