SCHROEDER MAY BE A FECKLESS LOSER, but no one ever said that German auto executives were stupid:
MUNICH — German auto executives are keeping a wary eye on the United States, fearing a boycott over the German government’s opposition to war with Iraq. . . .
Industrialists are so concerned that the Atlantic-Bruecke (means Atlantic Bridge) group, which calls itself the oldest German-American friendship organization, ran an ad in The New York Times on Feb. 16. The ad emphasized the 50-year bond between the United States and Germany.
So far, it says, they’re not hearing a lot from American consumers.
UPDATE: Maybe people are voting with their pocketbooks, rather than emailing. Reader Ann Ellwood sends this:
I am in the market for a new car–I am buying one in March. I was considering either the Mini (bought by BMW), the Bug, or the Chrysler Sebring–but no more. I am now looking at other alternatives. I am not going to the dealers and telling them this–so how would they know? It is not a “boycott,” but why should I spend my hard earned dollars supporting an economy whose workers think that I am worse than Saddam Hussein?
I have to say, I’ve felt the same way.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Reader Robert Denton emails:
Reading today’s post about possible German products boycott and wanted to mention my action. I own two 1996 cars and intend to replace them soon enough. I have been looking at Jetta Turbo or Passat for one, and if our Jeep can stand the wait I wanted to get a VW Microbus (2005 release) as its replacement.
I wrote a letter to the best email contact I could at VW’s web site telling them I can not buy their products as long as the strong anti-American sentiments are boiling over as the predominant attitude in Deutschland.
Someone in one German company knows the sentiment.
Meanwhile another reader sends this:
Mr. Pundit, I am in the market for a new car and have long desired a BMW for the amazing driving experience they provide. However the astounding degree of anti-Americanism issuing forth from Europe, and especially Germany, makes it impossible for me to prop up their ridiculous stance with my hard earned money. Instead I will take delivery of a brand new Nissan 350Z from our steadfast ally, Japan. German business does well to be concerned, people in the market for high end cars are likely well informed as to current events. It will not take many to make a noticable dent in sales.
I still haven’t driven a 350Z, but they look awfully sharp.
UPDATE: D’oh! Several readers remind me that Nissan is now a Renault property, making it worse than German — French! And I say remind, because I knew that but forgot, which makes me doubly stupid. Or something. There’s always the Mazda RX-8.