Flying Cars, Human Nature, Space Ships II

FADS - Are they the difference?

One of the main factors people consider when buying a car is resale value. One of the things that determines resale value is whether or not people will want it 5 years from the purchase date. Resale is also huge in real estate. Home sales are pretty much dependent on granite counter tops and stainless appliances these days. What happened to brightly colored stoves, wood paneling and stone fireplaces? Hmmm, it seems the mid-century thing is coming back too and is worth a lot these days. So why is everyone still remodeling their house with granite and stainless - because they're scared!


Most people rely on the most conservative, widely accepted aesthetics for things which they own that are worth money and will likely sell in the future. You don't usually resell your iPod, Mac computer, red patent sneakers or many other low-end purchases. These are the items you can step out of your comfort level with and not incur a financial hit.

So are cars and houses the two things that will never reach widespread coolness? Or will people ever become confident enough to go with what they like instead of what other people like? Is that even possible?

Let's consider fashion for a minute. Generally, even the most trendy people still reside in a fairly comfortable zone. There really is a very fine line between being accepted and being an outcast. Is there a time when humans could wear what they want, drive what they want and live in what they want and not be considered an outcast? And if a large part of society started to live that way, what would be the consequences?


These are questions I ask because if everyone became more of an individual, what would happen to the auto industry, the fashion industry and every other retail industry? Deep, huh?

Would all of retail have to go in a direction like Puma's Mongolian Shoe BBQ? Would car companies alter their production to more of a custom coach-built concept again like they did in the early days?

And the biggest question of all:
If we don't evolve this way in the future, will Volkswagen continue to be forced to make vehicles like the Routan? BLAH!


What happened to the FREAKIN Microbus?


This is an example of VW marketing and design execs remodeling their house with granite and stainless instead of just updating their mid-century house with modern materials. And I truly believe not only would they have sold a butt load of these but VW would also have maintained their Cool Factor. With the Routan, all they are doing is dumbing down their brand identity for the sake of some sales but hurting themselves in the long run. Those sales are not worth it.

I feel like a broken record, but take a lesson from Apple. Make the coolest, most relevant product you can, and people will buy it. VW has no problem coming out with cool products so let your designers do their job and keep those cool concepts coming guys!

To Be Continued...