We Think We Can Have It All. That Is Why We Will

Each day Matt Hardigree of Jalopnik posts the "Question of the Day". These posts spur conversation, and sometimes debate. Today the question was Is the US Auto Industry on the Right Track? This is just asking for debate.

This has been on everyone's mind and the answer depends on both opinion and perspective. Do the thousands of laid off workers at GM think the company they dedicated 30-some years to is doing the right thing by leaving them behind? No. I understand the cost of change, especially change as dramatic as globalization and increasing competition. By the way, I am in awe that the word "globalization" is popping up on my spell check as if I've just made up a word - for pete's sake this is NOT a new revelation! Basically, I get it. But I'm still disappointed in the means leading to the intended "end", whatever the end may be.

I've gone off topic a bit here but that is the brilliance of blogs. Matt Hardigree was referring to the designs and product choices the "Big 3" are currently offering; are they on track with consumer demand? This is what he asks:

"As auto enthusiasts we like the idea of ass-kicking, high-output RWD rides like the 2009 Dodge Challenger, 2010 Camaro and Pontiac G8 GXP as much, if not more, than the next guy. But will they sell? A weakening economy, higher gas prices and a general perception that it's cool to be green sort of runs counter to the aims of all these vehicles."

My answer to Matt, and my response to the actions of the Big 3, is "when did we stop thinking we could have it all?"

(Courtesy buycostume.com)

My family took lots of road trips when we were young. My brothers and sisters and I would play games and ask each other ridiculous questions. One question that always came up was "what would you do if you had three wishes?"

My first wish was always to wish for more wishes. Of course my siblings declared that "wishing for wishes" was not allowed. I feel like major manufacturers are doing the same thing, limiting our wishes. So far they either get the green part (though many are behind the ball) or the performance part, but both? Not so much.

What's the deal?

Let's not limit our wishes. You want great design? You got it! Heck, you choose it. You want performance and an exciting driving experience? Of course, what fun would we have if we skipped that? How about pride? Do you want to be proud of your car because it is "green" in the sense it reduces our use of fossil fuels and release of greenhouse gases? Unless you're a jerk, you do. And what if the purchase of your vehicle stimulated your local economy, would you like that? Again, jerks aside, this is a very good thing.

This is what Local Motors is about. Un-limiting the wishes, because the only sure-fire way to know what the market wants is to ask the market and let the market speak. For the car enthusiasts that Local Motors aims to please, performance and design are central. As a standard, we have made a point to instill pride in a nurtured community, both the local physical communities and virtual communities. We think we can have it all, and that is why we will.

Today www.local-motors.com celebrated its first day, its "0" birthday if you will. When we blew out the candle, we wished for more wishes.