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You are advocating revisiting the 1920's...... Posted by MI-Roger [Email]  (#882) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from MI-Roger) on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:37:59
In Reply to: Also ..., J, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:50:38 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Automobiles were built in this manner in their infancy. Fisher Body was a renowned coach builder in Detroit that designed and fabricated custom bodies which were assembled onto the running gear by the early auto makers. Engines were sourced to the customer's requested manufacturer. And cars were the playthings of only the very rich.
Until recently you could buy semi trucks in this manner; caterpillar engine, allison transmisison, spicer rear end, custom seats and interiors, but even these behemoths have changed to more of a single source provider with many manufacturers supplying their own engines and other formerly custom components.
Why pay for all the individual profits charged by all the individual companies, when a single provider can make most (at one time nearly all) of the components and the customer pays a single profit? If being a vertically integrated manufacturer wasn't the best or most efficient solution, then why are all the manufacturers folloiwng this business model? The Fisher Building, a sky scraper in Detroit built early in the previous century by the Fisher Brothers who owned Fisher Body, has a gold leaf roof! Obviously there were tremondous profits made at each stage of the custom build model.
I do agree with your navigation system comments. When I can buy a transportable device (move it from one car to another) for $300, why should any car manufacturer expect customers to pay $1200 for a built-in unit? A standard vehicle interface and standard mounting methodology (similar to DIN standards for radios) would seem to make the most sense. More choices for the customer, less cost for the customer, less development cost for the vehicle manufacturer, a potentially larger customer base for this "standardized navigation system acceptance" option, potentially larger over-all profits for the vehicle manufacturer, and reduced warranty head-aches.
posted by 198.208.25...
_______________________________________ Saabs owned: 2008 9-5 Aero Sedan, sold at 227K miles 2006 9-3SC 2.0T - Wife's daily driver 2000 Viggen Convertible - Sold May, 2022 1964 Quantum IV Formula Car - Retirement project 2000 9-5lpt Sedan, sold at 318K miles
, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:22:28
, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:44:41
, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:06:57, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:36:15, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:37:59 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:21:09, Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:34:33
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