Everybody knows the American auto industry is in extremely bad shape. The $14-billion question is what can be done to save the industry. Some of the companies are trying to restructure in order to be better fit for the future, but there are still questions about whether the management that brought them into this crisis can get them out. If the American tax payer is going to shell out $14-billion to save the industry it seems that radical change is not a bad requirement. In an open letter to President Obama, he is encouraged to recruit Steve Jobs (health allowing) to recreate the American auto industry.
It is time for us to put tax payer money behind an executive capable of transforming the automotive industry. I respectfully submit that neither the current leadership behind these companies nor government officials are the answer. We need entrepreneurs, consumer product savants and creative managers capable of effecting change. We need great leaders who can transform cars into computers rather than horse-less carriages. You were elected to the Presidency based on a mandate for change. Making the necessary moves to transform the US auto industry would be a great way to walk the walk. This challenge is a once in a lifetime opportunity to save hundreds of thousands of jobs, hundreds of billions in future GDP, and prevent further deterioration of our nation’s manufacturing sector. This is the time for great Americans to be called upon to serve. I can think of no better leader than Steve Jobs to support America in this time of national crisis. President Obama, I urge you to seriously consider recruiting Mr. Jobs to manage the revitalization of the US auto industry that is so desperately needed. Thank you for your consideration of this suggestion.I think it's a great idea, though I doubt Steve Jobs would take it on. Nonetheless the premise is sound, the auto industry needs leaders that are willing to look deep into the future of cars while being firmly aware of all the little things that makes a car desirable. Most Americans aren't going to buy a car just because it's American any longer. It's time that American cars be desirable items, rather than just good enough that American consumers don't feel bad about buying them.
1 comment:
I actually disagree, surprisingly. The problem is that America doesn't need *A* Steve Jobs. We need a Steve Jobs, a Bill Gates, a Mr. Dell, etc. Steve Jobs can be effective in forming a vision for *A* company, but we need many companies filling many different niches. We don't need just the iPod of cars, we also need the Zune, the Walkman, the iPhone, and the Blackberry Storm. One of the problems is too many care makers are trying to fill the SAME niche (Big Trucks. Luxury Cars. SUVs. Cheapo Cars) when they would do better by specializing. Let Ford build great trucks, let Saturn make great Sedans, etc.
A singular personality might be useful to shake people up. But not to create a single vision. We don't need an Idea Man. We need someone to create fear that drives CEOs to HIRE idea men and then get to work.
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