[TheForge] Brand Loyalty?

[Jerry Frost]

One of the best examples of how product loyalty can be 
detrimental to the producer is the American auto 
industry.

For decades the American auto was the epitome of value 
for the money. There were better vehicles but not for 
what an average wage earner could afford. Immediately 
after WWII the industry decided bottom line was 
paramount and sat on everything but styling. Serious 
improvements were frowned on and competitors were 
bought out or squashed. Ever hear of Tucker? Remember 
how many years it took and finally federal regulations 
to get them to put seatbelts in vehicles? They fought 
anything that cut into the bottom line. Product loyalty 
not only allowed it but almost demanded it.

Remember the American car of the mid 70's-mid 80's? 
Crap milage, crap reliability, top speed under 80, 
short lived, unsafe in a collision and expensive? 
Remember them? Product loyalty let the auto industry 
produce crap products and people still bought them. 
Thank heaven the Japanese started kicking automotive 
butt or the big three would deservedly be a fading 
memory. They might not've completely disappeared by now 
but they wouldn't be much.

Product loyalty is essentially the same thing as 
tradition. It's the memory of what works and it is 
generally a good thing as long as people aren't afraid 
or too stubborn (Dad) to try new and possibly better 
things.

When product loyalty or tradition is taken to the point 
of supporting something that is no longer viable on 
it's own merits it becomes a detriment to not only the 
users but the manufacturers.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Ries Niemi" <rniemi at fidalgo.net>


> Elucidate, please.
>
> My experience has been that in industrial tools, 
> brand loyalty is still somewhat valuable.


>
> ries
> On Aug 22, 2006, at 11:37 AM, Michael wrote:
>