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Whew, what a month this has been! Nothing can describe the drama and disbelief that has
been the hallmark of the month as a whole seasons worth of automotive activity played
out over the global scene. The month began with the biannual Frankfurt motorshow
generating some of the big ticket reveals we are so fond off. Whether at the show or
elsewhere, debuts like the Rolls-Royce Dawn, the new BMW 7-series, the new A4 and
even Astons announcement of the DB11 all connected with the ethos of the show.
But it was the later half of the month that really took our collective breath away. Volkswagen
was caught out in the United States. If you havent read about what the issue is already,
you can catch up with our rather extensive coverage inside the magazine. While the
issue of clean diesel not meeting expectations is literally half a world away from us in the
region, the bigger issue of how the company reorganises and charts it path into the future,
including rejigging its engine mix, will definitely affect the group brands in global markets.
Our cover story for this month marks a departure from our norm, largely because it is a
once in a decade event when a brand like Bugatti announces anything new. In addition to
that, the market for the ultra rich seems to be the only one that isnt significantly affected
by the meltdown in crude oil prices. Almost all the big announcements we have had in
this half of the year are to do with cars for the mega spender or SUVs when you count
the Bentayga.
While on the subject of the Bentayga, it looks like the title of the worlds fastest SUV is
under threat already. We dont even have to look as far as a tuned custom-built challenger
to the Bentayga. Technology and the ability to look outside the box has resulted in the
Model X from Tesla. When Elon Musk sets out to redefine a market segment, you shouldnt
expect anything less than this the fastest SUV albeit an electric one. It isnt anywhere as
costly as the RO 100,000 price tag of the Bentayga, but may just be the vehicle that the
super rich use to show their green credentials.
As for regular launches, we have the test drive of the brand new Maxima, the new
Outlander, the highly intelligent smaller engine IS 200t and even the Toyota HiLux. These
are joined by our editors personal review of his latest toy the Yamaha MT-09. As far as
bikes go, it isnt the greenest one. But then you sometimes just need to have fun.
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Cadillac V-Series
week celebrated
As part of a high voltage media and
customer event, Cadillac Middle East
offered guests to try out the latest trio
of performance V-badged cars at the
Yas Marina circuit. The cars included
the CTS sedan, coupe and sedan
variants of the ATS. While the ATS uses
supercharging, the ATS V-family charges
in with the performance sub brands
first turbocharged entry. For the event,
Cadillac specially flew in Tony Roma,
vehicle chief engineer for the Cadillac
CTS and V series programme from US.
Roma works in the Global Performance
Luxury Car group reporting to Dave
Leone, the Executive Chief Engineer.
Roma leads the team of engineers
who designed and developed the
award-winning Cadillac CTS and has
also been involved with the design and
development of the Cadillac ATS-V and
CTS-V in particular. Over 182 customers
experienced the cars besides regional
media including Automan. Since its
inception in 2004, Cadillacs V-Series
has driven remarkable power and
performance capability into the brands
growing luxury car range. Building on
the strengths of the award-winning
ATS product line, the V-Series adds
impressive track capability to what
was already the lightest and most
agile-driving car in the luxury compact
class. The result is a dual-purpose
luxury performer a car with true track
capability right from the factory that is
also a sophisticated luxury car on the
road.
6
OCT 2015
Tony Roma
Vehicle chief engineer
for the Cadillac CTS
and V series programme.
Dubizzle
rebranded as OLX
brandwatch
news
The image of Volkswagen, the Germany
based worlds second largest carmaker
has taken a serious hit after news broke
out last month that the automaker [which
according to independent consultants
Interbrand is the number one German
car maker in the field of environmental
conservation and sustainability, and the
number four worldwide] had cheated
Environmental Protection Agency
directions by deliberately installing an
illegal software identified as defeat
device in almost a half-million diesel cars
in the US sold to get around emissions
tests. At the heart of the issue is a
software system supplied by Bosch that
allowed the cars to beat the emission
rating of NOx, which is 31 mg/km of NOx
as against the European norm of 80.
So how did EPA find out? The credit goes
to researchers John German and Peter
Mock from the International Council on
Clean Transportation. The duo became
suspicious after discovering that what
VW was telling the EPA did not match up
with what was actually coming out of the
exhausts. Further EPA tests showed that
NOx emissions jumped to 10-40 times
EPA-compliant levels when the ECM was
running its standard road calibration
rather than the dyno calibration activated
during an emissions test. EPA was quick to
realize what was going on and demanded
VW to explain things. According to Cynthia
Giles, assistant administrator for the EPAs
Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance: These violations are very
serious, not only because illegal defeat
devices result in excess emissions many
times the allowable standard, but also
because VW was concealing the facts
from EPA, the State of California and
8
OCT 2015
Change of guard
In: Matthias Mller
Automans take
Creating a small halo niche sports car can be a costly affair for any carmaker as it needs
volumes to support the investment. Both Toyota and BMW are aware about this and
both carmakers have been working together on a new project. The idea was to codevelop a new platform that could underpin new models from both brands. However,
easier said than done and it seems that one of the partners doubts on production plans.
It seems that Toyota has made no final decision on whether to move forward with the
project beyond a design study. The whole study before that, on what kind of platform,
on what kind of architecture, thats been progressing quite well, a Toyota spokesperson
told media in Frankfurt. We havent yet decided to give the green light to the project,
but its coming up.
Both carmakers have been indicating through concepts what their future sports car
could look like using the jointly-developed platform. BMWs next-generation Z4 could
borrow design cues from the 3.0 CSL Hommage R Concept. Meanwhile, Toyota is also
looking at reviving Supra or offer an entirely new model to slot above the FT/GT86, but
will need a longer wheelbase platform to do it. Styling inspiration from the FT-1 concepts
that appeared last year could be used.
Whatever the co-developed platform turns out to be, it is strongly rumoured that a
turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a hybrid all-wheel-drive system, delivering a
combined output of over 400hp could be offered.
Jaguar
Cadillac
Last month GMs luxury brand Cadillac wanted to take Manhattan
by storm as a befitting event after the company shifted its
headquarters to SoHo from Detroit this summer. The idea was a
big stunt which involved suspending the forthcoming all-new XT5
SUV 150 feet over the West Side Highway and giving audiences a
sneak preview. The XT5 wasnt fully unveiled as it will be done at
the Dubai International Motor Show next month. The US stunt
event just served as a teaser in conjunction with a fashion show.
The Aston Martin DB10 may be star car for the forthcoming Bond flick Spectre, but that
hasnt stop Jaguar Land Rover from unveiling a fleet of vehicles which will also be used
in the upcoming film. First and foremost, the movie will feature the Jaguar C-X75. In the
film it will be driven David Bautista who plays the character of Hinx [bad guy] and will be
seen in an epic high-speed chase on the streets of Rome. The movie will also feature a
Range Rover Sport SVR and several modified Land Rover Defenders. The latter vehicles
were built by Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations and feature a rugged front bumper,
a winch and 37in off-road tyres - among other things.
Interestingly, the prospects of a limited production the C-X75 have been dropped again.
Learned UK-based media has reported that Jaguar was reconsidering the project earlier
this year. Had it happened, it would have been re-christened as the C-X80 and production
limited to 80 units to commemorate the 80th birthday of the company. Its launch could
have coincided with the release of Spectre.
10
OCT 2015
Automans take
There is probably a V6 in our future, revealed company CEO Amedeo Felisa in a recent
interview with motoring media. And its no secret that Ferrari is working on the Dino,
its entry level model which is being engineered specifically with China in mind. Import
duties for cars with larger than 3.0-litre engines attract high customs duties and Ferrari
engineers are working on a downsized version derived from the twin-turbocharged
3.9-litre V8 from the recently launched 488 GTB. The 21st century Dino will use a new sixcylinder thats currently being developed in utmost secrecy by a small team of engineers
in Maranello. To suit the purpose, its displacement has been reduced to about 2.9 litres
and reportedly it will be good for approximately 200hp/per litre of displacement. The
maths suggest that the twin-turbocharged six will make roughly 580hp in its initial state
of tune. Building such a power-dense engine is easier said than done, which explains
why the small, V6-powered coupe isnt expected to arrive until 2018 at the very earliest.
The Dino will be smaller and lighter than the 488 and will offset any side effect related
to performance. However, Ferrari has indicted that the new V6 will not have any other
application in the Ferrari lineup, at least not in the foreseeable future.
Rolls-Royce
Cadillac
Executive Vice President, General Motors, and President at Global
Cadillac, Dave Caldwell has revealed the brand is considering a
couple of new Escalade variants. Caldwell said nothing has been
approved but the argument for a six-figure Escalade is strong
and momentum is moving it higher. Caldwell went on to say
Cadillac has already studied high-performance and ultra-luxury
variants but theyre currently focused on creating new models
and not derivatives. However, Caldwell denied plans for an
Escalade-V. Several previous reports have suggested Cadillac
could test waters at the 2016 New York Auto Show with a
supercharged 6.2-litre V8-based concept study.
It seems that the initial interest in the Bentley Bentayga SUV following its official
debut in Frankfurt last month is motivating Mercedes-Benz top brass to consider
a Maybach-badged version of its GL SUV. Mercedes U.S. sales head Steve
Cannon called the idea of a Maybach GL a natural fit. According to Cannon, an
incredible number of GLs are already ordered loaded to the gills, indicating
there is a strong demand for something even more luxurious than Mercedes
current flagship SUV. Look at whats happening with the Bentleys of the world
and even Lamborghini is thinking about it. Theres an appetite, a market for that,
Cannon said. When we get to that point that we expand the Maybach offering -and we will expand the Maybach offering -- that would be a natural place to go.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to invest $1.3bn into their
Tuscaloosa, Alabama factory to prepare for the production of the next-generation
of crossovers. The funds will be used to create more space in the plants assembly
shop will also be expanded that will allow for the production of a wider ranges of vehicles using latest lightweight construction
technologies. As of now, Mercedes has official not declared which of models will be built at the plant but a logical guess includes the nextgeneration GLE, GLE Coupe and GLS.
OCT 2015
11
Spotlight
news
OCT 2015
Alfa Romeo
Audi
Bentley
Artega
Among the first time models presented, Bentley took the morning
lead in introducing their first ever SUV called Bentayga. Bentley
has gone on lengths to promote it as the quickest, most powerful
model in this segment. The Bentagya SUV is an evolution of the
EXP 9 F concept from a while back. Bentley says the W12-powered
Audi Q7-based Bentayga is relatively economical for a model in
this segment and the cabin will be ultra-luxurious. Bentley has
announced the first year of production has already reached sold
out status, even though the model begins at 160,200.
The successor of the current Veyron has been a top talking point
in the industry in recent weeks following the sale of the last
production model a few weeks ago. Bugatti presented a digital
rendition of radical racecar developed for Polyphony Digitals Gran
Turismo 6 game barely days before the show. The Vision Gran
Turismo isnt only just a fantasy car for the PS3 video game as it also
provides a sneak preview at Bugattis new design language that
will debut with the much awaited Veyron replacement. As for the
Bugatti VGT concept presented at the show it appears ultra-modern
but at the same time it takes influences from iconic models such as
the 1936 Type 57 Atlantic and the Type 57 G Tank which have been
combined with Veyron cues. Bugatti says that the VGT concept was
developed with real-time technical features, like its design and aero
profiling, but details regarding the technical specifications are scarce
at the moment.
OCT 2015
13
BMW
Citroen
OCT 2015
Ferrari
Close on the heels of last winters launch of the Ferrari 488 GTB
coupe, Ferrari unveiled the 488 Spider version. With a body
designed by legendary Ferrari coachbuilder Scaglietti and a
3.9-litre turbocharged V8 engine, the 488 Spider claims the same
660hp and 560lb-ft of torque enjoyed by the 488 GTB when
mated to Ferraris F1 seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. Ferrari
also used the event to introduce two tailor made California Ts.
Honda
Jeep
Hyundai
Jaguar
Land Rover
Mini
After announcing a few weeks ago that the brand was heading
into a new direction with its line-up, the first indication of that
move came with the brand new Clubman wagon. Set to go
on sale in Germany on Halloween, the redesigned Clubman is
essentially an enlarged version of the Cooper five-door as its
27cm longer, 9cm wider and rides on a wheelbase that has
been stretched 10cm. The larger dimensions create a more
accommodating cabin and cargo compartment.
Talking point
Gerry McGovern
Land Rover design director and chief
creative officer
By 2020 there will be over 22 million SUVtype vehicles sold globally and although
we use that term generically, we know its
fragmenting to all kinds of niche products
and therein the opportunity for us
OCT 2015
15
Kia
Lamborghini
Maserati
SsangYong
OCT 2015
Maserati took the wraps off the 2016 Ghibli and Quattroporte models.
The updated sedans feature new Euro6 petrol engines with start/stop
technology and performance specifications remain unchanged. Maserati
claims the new engines are up to 12per cent more fuel-efficient. Diesel
variants have been equipped with Maseratis AdBlue technology.
Suzuki
Mercedes-Benz
One of the cool concept presentations came from MercedesBenz this year. The futuristic Concept IAA [IAA used here is an
acronym for Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile rather than
the more familiar Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung or
International Motor Show in English] was presented as a fourdoor coupe previewing technology that will eventually appear
in generation next models. While no official announcement
was made as regards to which future model the Concept IAA
previewed, the company said in a statement that some of the
technology and the interior offers a foretaste of the business
sedan of the near future. And going by the current model lineup, the next production sedan set to be revealed by Mercedes is
the new-generation E-Class next year. The concept suggested an
early look of the brands all-important new E-Class. The second
model which made headlines for the brand was the all-new
S-Class Cabrio. The new C-class Coupe and its AMG and DTM track
versions were also on display.
Nissan
Porsche
Rolls-Royce
OCT 2015
17
Mazda
Mazda had been teasing media with its Koeru concept days before
the show and speculation is that the new car will be called CX-4 when
this new model goes into production. The five-door, five-seat wagon
concept sits on a 2,700mm wheelbase [same as CX-5 SUV], strongly
suggesting it is using SkyActiv architecture. However, the Koeru is
60mm longer and 60mm wider than the CX-5 and speculation is that
the company has a CX-6 or born-again CX-7 in mind for the future.
Mazda spokespeople at the show said that the CX-4 badge was
specifically reserved for a future crossover cruiser type of vehicle.
Talking point
Masahiro Moro
Managing executive officer, sales and marketing
The design had arisen from research showing
Mazda3 owners wanted something sportier than
the CX-5 wagon and bigger than CX-3 crossover
when they decided shift up into the SUV ranks.
These customers told us they were still seeking a
new solution a body style solution,
Toyota
Renault
Volkswagen
Toyota presented its fourth generation new Prius hybrid. As the brands
first global model to ride on Toyotas TNGA platform, the reinvented Prius
adopts a polarizing design. Design niggles put aside, Toyota says the all-new
Prius boasts a 60percent more rigid chassis wrapped around in a body
which is now longer, wider and lower. The cars fuel efficiency has also been
improved by 10per cent. Toyota also introduced its Euro-spec RAV4 Hybrid
SUV.Although entirely not new, Toyota showcased an updated version of
its C-HR concept. It may be recalled that it was almost a year ago at the Paris
Motor Show where Toyota introduced the first C-HR concept. The Nissan
Juke rival now comes with a more toned down personality suggesting it has
got series production potential. The final production version is scheduled to
make an appearance in March next year at Geneva.
18
OCT 2015
Volkswagen took the covers off its bigger-but-lighter secondgeneration Tiguan compact SUV on the eve of the Frankfurt motor
show. Four variants were unveiled, including a traditional model, an
off-road-specific version and a higher-performance R-Line flagship. A
production-oriented GTE plug-in concept was also revealed.
OCT 2015
21
OCT 2015
23
Maximising
potential
OCT 2015
OCT 2015
25
OCT 2015
Sporting an athletic
body redesign, the
new Maxima features
Nissans FourDoor Sports Car
positioning, a return
to a marketing term
used on the Gen III J30
series [1988-1992]
fingertip control of the center display
information screens. And, a special media
bin is place forward on the console and
includes two USB and auxiliary ports,
along with room enough to hold an
iPhone 6 Plus.
The feature pack offered will vary
according to trim level. For instance the
top-of-the-line SR grade cars get premium
Ascot leather with diamond-quilted
Alcantara seat and flat bottomed steering
OCT 2015
27
28
OCT 2015
Driving impressions
The first thing we did note in this car inside
is that this was comfortable and spacious
with a pleasant wrap around effect.
The outward view is clear and despite a
raked windscreen, the front occupants
sit fairly protected from the elements.
The engine note is smooth at idling and
once put into gear it moves like a cogged
set-up. Usually cars with CVT set-ups are
boring to drive [with the exception of a
few models from Audi or Subaru] as in
the driving experience theres this very
irritating engine droning note which most
CVTs deliver under hard acceleration.
In normal drive mode, the car behaves
quite normally and the car takes off nicely,
although not as aggressive as in the GT-R.
When in Sport modes, Nissans D-Step
Programming appears entertaining as
it does able to convey the sensation of
shifting gears during aggressive driving.
The CVTs shift logic becomes more
aggressive at full throttle, anticipating
the need for renewed acceleration during
intensive cornering. Paddle shifters in the
SR version let you manually select ratios.
The key standout feature out here is that
none of the drone effect associated with
CVTs is experienced as Nissan engineers
have used Bose noise-cancelling audio
system and acoustically laminated
windscreen glass and front windows quite
effectively to filter unwanted sounds
coming in the cabin during normal driving
situations. While, active noise cancellation
effectively dampens harsh sounds to some
extent, the engine as expected gets a
bit loud at higher revs. In general the car
doesnt feel underpowered and it will do
the 0-96km/h sprint in 6.2secs [5.9sec in
the SR].
While the cars electric power steering
typical of the set-up lacks the sharp
feedback of say the GT-R. Despite 61.4
percent of the weight residing on the
front axle, it is quite light and the car feels
OCT 2015
29
Hyundai Tucson
30
OCT 2015
How to win
customers
and keep
ahead
That, in a nutshell, is what Hyundai is achieving
in its move to upgrade the Tucson to generation
three. We have our first run in with the car at its
media reveal on the island of Gran Canaria
Author: Raj Warrior
31
OCT 2015
OCT 2015
33
OCT 2015
Getting
sporty in
the lap of
luxury
35
36
OCT 2015
OCT 2015
37
Getting a
lot more
from less
Turbocharging brings a whole new character to
the entry-premium IS sedan. For the 2016 model
year onwards, a new 2-litre turbo replaces the
250. We put the car through its paces
Author: Raj Warrior | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao
38
OCT 2015
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OCT 2015
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42
OCT 2015
OCT 2015
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44
OCT 2015
Worth
the wait
OCT 2015
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OCT 2015
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48
OCT 2015
49
Refreshed
& refined
The first Mitsubishi production vehicle hitting
the markets to adorn the new design language
is the 2016 Outlander which is also sold in the
region. Automan checks out the car in around
picturesque Oman
Author: Chandan B Mallik | Photography: Elvis John Ferrao
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OCT 2015
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52
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54
OCT 2015
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2015 Yamaha MT 09
56
OCT 2015
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58
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0-1
00k
m/
h in
4.0
sec
. To
ps
pee
d3
00k
m/
62
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64
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0-9
6km
/h
in 3
.2s
ec.
Top
spe
ed
250
km
/h
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F1
Easing
to
victory
OCT 2015
Following talks and negotiations between driver and team at last months
Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren and Jenson Button have agreed that they will
continue the partnership for 2016. With this, McLaren has brought an official
end to speculation about Jenson Buttons future by confirming that the
former world champion will stay for 2016. Meanwhile, Button has indicated
that theres life in F1 beyond 2016. F1 isnt in a bad place at the moment and
its going to get better. Next year will be better and in 2017 F1 is going to be
mega I think theres a lot of excitement out there, he said.
Ferrari tenders
apology
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene
has apologised to the FIA for the
behaviour of team members during an
incident after the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Maranello-based team was summoned
to see the stewards following complaints
that Ferrari staff had forced their way past
security in parc ferme after the race and
then roughed up photographers as they
barged their way through.
OCT 2015
Gaining his sixth win of the season and 60th overall, Movistar Yamaha rider Jorge
Lorenzo came in at head of the pack, taking the title battle back to his teammate
Valentino Rossi, with only 14 points separating them with four races yet to go.
However, the pairs stellar podium finishes has sealed the team title for the year.
Meanwhile Repsol Hondas Dani Pedrosa came in second. A mistake by Marc
Marquez on the second lap when he was in second place resulted in his fifth crash
of the season,while trying to keep up with eventual racewinner Lorenzo. Marquez
was third out of the opening corner of the race, behind Lorenzo and Iannone,
with Pedrosa fifth. Before the second sector both had moved up a position, but
the work of the reigning World Champion to keep on Lorenzos tail ended on the
second lap, when a mistake braking at Turn 12 put an end to his participation in the
Aragon GP. Lorenzo the stayed out far ahead while Pedrosa doggedly battled Rossi
to stay ahead for a close fought second position.
Regional
OCT 2015
79
80
OCT 2015
The biggest crisis to hit the automotive world is unfolding before our eyes in real time
and Volkswagen is having to address the sorry mess of its own doing in front of a world
audience. There could be no worse time to be a global player. Funnily enough, this year
was the first time Volkswagen seemed like it would pip Toyota to become the worlds
largest car manufacturer. That would have been good. Now its a task to stay anywhere
near the top.
More than enough has been said about the whys and wherefores of the imbroglio. It
seems almost nave that Wolfsburg could have found itself in this mess after all if
you cannot trust the German and Japanese management structures to move according
to plan, then whom can we trust? The Italians? It seems inconceivable that an active
workaround found its way into the cars software without approval from all the way up?
But is this a given? Do all boards and managements know what is happening at lower
levels of the hierarchy? In an organisation that spans every region of the world, is it even
feasible to have a two-way flow of information that covers everything? Yes, one man took
the moral responsibility and walked the plank, but how much did he actually even know
about the cheat?
The question is one of trust. Do you as a leader operate with the belief that once you
set a direction and spell out your objectives everyone will then follow? Do you then go
beyond the scorecard and KPI measurement and get into the nitty-gritty of every process
happening below you? Do you stand at the door to greet every one arriving with eyes to
watch stance? Most of us dont. As long as the end result is achieved or bettered, we are
quite relaxed about how the job gets done.
But then, that is exactly how corruption grows. If some greasing of palms or gift-giving
can get you a contract or clear a payment, would you acquiesce? No? Then why would
you not lay down the law saying exactly what the performance envelope is from your
researchers, designers, engineers and management?
The other area of trust here is in the way governments deal with industry. Government
lays down the laws, communicates a roadmap and spells out punishments. In this case
it also has the means to check compliance, but leaves most of the real-time modalities
to the manufacturers themselves or in combination with third-party certification. That
practically every third-party in every certification process on the planet (whether they are
accountants, engineers, surveyors or doctors or even circulation trackers) is paid by the
first-party for their services. Why are we still even faintly shocked when we discover that
third-party certification is flawed? In this case, its easy to tick the appropriate boxes in
the lab and collect your cheque, because the car helped.
The trust issue gets even bigger when you throw the dealers and customers into the pile.
It begins with a dealer trusting the manufacturer about the product or service that they
sell. That the car will run so many hundreds of thousands of kilometres, that the warranty
will be honoured, that parts will be available and that emotional and intangible elements
will be met. A large proportion of that gets transmitted through to the customers they
have to trust the dealers, the manufacturers and by extension the Government.
Friedrich Nietzsche said, Im not upset that you lied to me, Im upset that from now
on I cant believe you. On a personal level, you always know when you reach that
philosophical barrier. In some of us its a switch you refuse to believe that person ever
again. In the rest of us the tendency is to take things on a case-by-case basis. Very few
of us can just move on from that moment as if nothing has happened. Fortunately for
Volkswagen, we human beings arent so picky when it comes to the world beyond our
flawed human relationships. Whether its crashed planes, failed banks, food poisoning,
the cigarette industry, flawed airbags and ignition switches or a polluting engine, we
have all been lied to by industry through the centuries and we all keep on returning to
the very same industry for our essentials. It is as if we would rather believe in the fantasy
world of J.M.Barries Peter Pan, All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.