Still Living in the Past
our Back to the ’90s essays in the July issue were spectacular, particularly for someone such as me who spent that decade in suburban Detroit. When I was an auto industry executive, I’d look forward to reading my weekly trade publication. It was the industry rag and a must-read for every industry player. Your splendid array of essays in the July edition brought back for the extraordinary effort. The way Angus MacKenzie connected the dots that led to GM’s implosion was masterful. As he observes, while the Europeans were obsessed with creating wonderful-performing machines and the Asians were fixated on delivering superb-quality fit and finish, GM and the other American automakers were concerned more about their stock price (and stock options) than making the world’s best motor vehicles. His Saturn article drove the point home a second time, adding insider intrigue that only, well, an insider could muster. I hope you carve up another decade soon.
