Porsche chief's disdain for America

The American Thinker ^ | 10-11-06 | Thomas Lifson

[Renfield]

Davids Medienkritik discovered deep condescension toward America from a German executive whose company makes most of its money here. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking defends the German “social model” of capitalism, and implies that we Americans are barely out of the backwoods with our rifles.

Europe’s culture is decidedly older than that of the USA. The Fuggers were doing business, while hunting was still the order of the day in America. Right now 37 million people in the USA live below the poverty line. The gulf between poor and rich has widened brutally. Do we want to have a situation like that in Europe and particularly in Germany?

Why would anyone buy an expensive car from a company whose head looks down on him?

I wonder what Herr Wiedeking has to say about the Japanese after a beers?

[johnny7]

Have they learned how to laugh?

[xcamel]

There are plenty of M3's and M4's that pull over and park when they see me coming - or don't see, for that matter.

[Fawn]

What is the unemployment rate in Europe? I always thought they were worse off than AMerica. Seems to me housing was vry poor in Germany....nobody could afford to buy a 1,000 sq foot home....

[the invisib1e hand]

Winston Churchill said it best,"As individuals, the Germans are admirable; as a nation, they are despicable."

Wow, I'd say so. Great quote; I was feeling a bit foolish until you posted that.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking defends the German “social model” of capitalism, and implies that we Americans are barely out of the backwoods with our rifles.

Yeah, but when we came, Germany was reduced to ashes...

[chilepepper]

Europe in general and Germany in particular are very nice places to live if you *already* have a pile of money and are a member of the socialist-decider class.

The European socialist model will of course make *sure* that you cannot acquire a pile of money and hence will not try to compete with the existing feudal order.

As for innovation and new businesses there is, sadly, very little if any -- Europe is *stagnant* except for the social disaster that is metastasizing from the huge Islamic population that is entrenched in *EVERY* European city (except those that were behind the iron curtain - perhaps Communism's only positive legacy after 70 years)

[Miss Marple]

Some of what you say is true, but some people are poor through an inability to overcome the handicaps they were born with (crack-head mother, absent father, poor public education, etc.)

It's all well and good to think that anyone in the USA can overcome their circumstances and become middle class, but when a kid starts with such handicaps, it requires tremendous perseverence and ambition to rise out of that type of situation. Most don't make it.

When we have solid middle-class background kids who end up sinking into poverty because they succumbed to peer pressure and got hooked on drugs, got pregnant, etc. it is easy to see that overcoming peer pressure is not a snap. And poor kids don't have the resources to figure out how to do it.

In our city we are starting to see churches initiating mentoring programs to encourage those whose home life is bad. It's a way to give kids a responsible adult who is available for advice and encouragement.

At any rate, I think it important to see the poor as individuals, and not as a group.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Well that settles it then...

...I'm not buying a Porsche this year either.

[Renfield]

I'm still in the backwoods with my rifle(s)...and shotguns...and revolvers...as much as I love Europe, I don't think I could live there.

I'm only 33 miles from the White House, yet I shoot all the deer I can eat in my back yard. I doubt I could do that in Germany.

[CORedneck]

That is even typical of some American executives such as George Soros, Warren Buffet and loudmouth Ted Turner.

[avg_freeper]

"(And I didn't even mention Porsche's Nazi past...)"

<Fawlty voice> Don't mention the war! </Fawlty voice>

[absolootezer0]

i'll agree that the company may be run better, but porsche sells because of the name, not superior capabilty. you can spend much less on other sports cars and get the same, or better, performance.
porsche falls in with escalades, hummers, and harleys. nothing special about them but the name.

[Unam Sanctam]

We have a tradition. Europe’s culture is decidedly older than that of the USA.

Of course Europe is tossing out its Christian heritage and culture faster than anything and embracing appeasement of the Islamists in their midst. In a few years, there won't be any more of this jerk's precious "culture" left when Europe is submerged into the Islamist Caliphate with Shariah law governing.

[Leo Farnsworth]

Well built?

Try to drive one 100,000 miles with only oil and filter changes. It will not happen.

Porsche is a great driving car. It is also very high maintenance. Additionally all Porsche, Volkswagen Audi automobiles are sub-par in reliability (Consumer Reports annual issue on autos). High maintenance is not my cup of tea, personally.

Additionally, Porsche almost ceased to exist as a company due to it's old business/management model - that's why they hired a Japanese consultant (I'm sorry I cannot remember his name but he was over 70 and turned around Nissan). It was the right thing to do as a business though, to me, it does reinforce the notion the German management is a bit too set in their ways and needs outside consulting support or it will die.

[King of Florida]

The Audi S4 covertible is a direct competitor with the BMW M3 convertible. Would you say the M3 is not a sports car?

[Michael81Dus]

I'm only 33 miles from the White House, yet I shoot all the deer I can eat in my back yard. I doubt I could do that in Germany.

Right, because in Germany, you´d be 3033 miles or so from the WH away! However, hunting is legal in Germany, and deer is shot only 33 miles away from the Chancellery.

[Michael81Dus]

I doubt that the Porsche CEO is jealous, he expresses that he does NOT want the state of economy the US has.

[Blueflag]

Ahem ...

The M3 coupe is most definitely a sports car.

Having driven one at insane speeds around Road Atlanta, I can personally attest to the fact that BMW makes sports cars.

The sedans can be accused of being more GT cars -- like the 5 and 7 series (exceptions = M5 and M6).

Just because a car is not a roadster does not mean it is not a sports car.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Comment? In a word, 1973 911E Targa fully optioned for $13,800.

Sweet ride! Mine was a '72 911T Targa---the year where they had the oil fill tank on the outside of the car, like a second gas tank.

[cbkaty]

He also sings backup for the Dixie Chicks....spread the word.