Apparently, everybody is an expert on the auto industry all of a sudden. Arnold Schwarzenegger was telling a group of auto executives that they should “stop whining” only a few weeks ago. And now Jay Leno – comedian and TV talk show host – has an opinion on the auto industry, too.
According to the wisecracking comedian, making more fuel-efficient cars is easy. “It ain’t that hard folks – make better cars,” he told Detroit automakers during one of his mediocre monologues.
But it wasn’t all negative feelings toward Detroit. He said the F-150 is one of the best trucks ever made and nobody but Americans can make anything like Ford trucks. But, he said, we just can’t build an inexpensive economy car. Instead, American automakers tend to “dumb down the cheaper car,” making them less appealing for motorists and consumers.
He also offered advice to Detroit, saying the major domestic automakers should do what Harley-Davidson did. That means turning around its quality problems and once again becoming a market leader. He went on to say this: “I believe that, all things being equal, Americans will buy American. It just has to be as good as the competition; it doesn’t have to be better.”
Okay. He’s entitled to his opinion. I know he’s a car guru, but does that make him qualified to tell automakers how to do their job? Ford, for instance, has been working on its quality problems for the last several years. As a result, Ford products are becoming some of the most popular vehicles on the market today. And the Ford Motor Company continues to ensure the best possible products from its factories every day. So as long as we’re all giving our suggestions, I suggest Jay Leno should leave auto building to the experts. While you’re at it, Jay, write better jokes. It’s not that hard.
