THE DOG DAYS OF DRIVING.....
Auto makers are shameless hucksters. In order to sell cars they offer rebates, employee discounts, family discounts – even of you don’t have a family – if you know someone’s aunt – you qualify. What they don’t publicize is that they’ve jacked up the price of the vehicle to cover their sales ‘deal.’ Car companies are as honest as Iranian rug salesmen.
Progress is a wonderful thing unless it’s used by live human beings. Automobile manufactures aren’t doing a very good job of developing safe and efficient cars. Recalls are more common than the cold. When the government tells Ford, GM, Nissan, or any of the other car makers, that some of their vehicles aren’t safe and drivers might be blown out through the roof when the car starts...the auto manufactures reluctantly fix the problem. It’s either fix the problem or make crash helmets standard with each car purchased.
It’s long been known that Ford, GM and Chrysler could put out really fuel efficient cars and ones that were really safe but were reluctant to do so because it might boost the cost of manufacturing. Cut into their profit margin. There is no reason that today’s automobiles don’t get 30 to 40 miles per gallon. The technology is there, it’s just not being used. If it was then they couldn’t count on cars falling apart after three or four years, forcing consumers to have to go into hock to buy a new model. It’s called planned obsolescence and is the hallmark of car makers all over the world.
Honda is one of the few auto makers that’s been experimenting with new, unusual models that might appeal to car owners. I’m not talking about hybrids or cars that run on karaoke music…or sushi. This is even more diabolical. Honda has designed a car that’s friendly for dogs – no it doesn’t rub the dog’s belly to get its legs to go crazy – it’s part of the Japanese automaker’s ongoing effort to create vehicles that are easy to use, comfortable to ride in…and simple to steal.
The W.O.W Concept, which stands for “wonderful openhearted wagon,” is an exhibition model that will be exhibited at the Tokyo auto show later this month. A special crate in the glove compartment allows owners to interact with their pets while driving. Throwing a Frisbee and expecting the dog to chase it is frowned upon in traffic. This glove compartment ‘crate’ is obviously for smaller dogs and wouldn’t work for the family mastiff.
A bigger crate pops up from the floor in the back seat area and can be folded back into the floor when it’s not needed. It’s recommended that you remove “Spot” before folding it back. For even bigger dogs, just buckle them up with a special seat belt to the floor. Talk about a funny picture – a Lab buckled into a seat belt, smoking a cigarette and reading the New York Times. Amazing isn’t it – most parents couldn’t care less or forget to buckle their kids into car seats but probably will for the family pooch.
The big danger for pets riding along in cars is that they get thrown out during a crash especially if they have a walkman on their heads and aren’t paying attention. About a fifth of Japanese households have a dog, and demand is growing for cars that cater to man’s best friend, according to Honda. I always thought man’s best friend was a comely masseuse.
“We created this vehicle from the point of view of a dog,” said Honda designer Katsuhito Nakamura. Instead of a “new car” smell it smells like another dog’s ass. The dashboard is made out of kibble and there’s room for poochie to circle before sitting down. Pooper scoopers will be offered as optional equipment.
I applaud Honda for trying a new way to market their cars. But, wouldn’t it be even better if they – along with the others – spent their time and money putting out affordable, safe, fuel-efficient automobiles and stop worrying about the family bitch?
Progress is a wonderful thing unless it’s used by live human beings. Automobile manufactures aren’t doing a very good job of developing safe and efficient cars. Recalls are more common than the cold. When the government tells Ford, GM, Nissan, or any of the other car makers, that some of their vehicles aren’t safe and drivers might be blown out through the roof when the car starts...the auto manufactures reluctantly fix the problem. It’s either fix the problem or make crash helmets standard with each car purchased.
It’s long been known that Ford, GM and Chrysler could put out really fuel efficient cars and ones that were really safe but were reluctant to do so because it might boost the cost of manufacturing. Cut into their profit margin. There is no reason that today’s automobiles don’t get 30 to 40 miles per gallon. The technology is there, it’s just not being used. If it was then they couldn’t count on cars falling apart after three or four years, forcing consumers to have to go into hock to buy a new model. It’s called planned obsolescence and is the hallmark of car makers all over the world.
Honda is one of the few auto makers that’s been experimenting with new, unusual models that might appeal to car owners. I’m not talking about hybrids or cars that run on karaoke music…or sushi. This is even more diabolical. Honda has designed a car that’s friendly for dogs – no it doesn’t rub the dog’s belly to get its legs to go crazy – it’s part of the Japanese automaker’s ongoing effort to create vehicles that are easy to use, comfortable to ride in…and simple to steal.
The W.O.W Concept, which stands for “wonderful openhearted wagon,” is an exhibition model that will be exhibited at the Tokyo auto show later this month. A special crate in the glove compartment allows owners to interact with their pets while driving. Throwing a Frisbee and expecting the dog to chase it is frowned upon in traffic. This glove compartment ‘crate’ is obviously for smaller dogs and wouldn’t work for the family mastiff.
A bigger crate pops up from the floor in the back seat area and can be folded back into the floor when it’s not needed. It’s recommended that you remove “Spot” before folding it back. For even bigger dogs, just buckle them up with a special seat belt to the floor. Talk about a funny picture – a Lab buckled into a seat belt, smoking a cigarette and reading the New York Times. Amazing isn’t it – most parents couldn’t care less or forget to buckle their kids into car seats but probably will for the family pooch.
The big danger for pets riding along in cars is that they get thrown out during a crash especially if they have a walkman on their heads and aren’t paying attention. About a fifth of Japanese households have a dog, and demand is growing for cars that cater to man’s best friend, according to Honda. I always thought man’s best friend was a comely masseuse.
“We created this vehicle from the point of view of a dog,” said Honda designer Katsuhito Nakamura. Instead of a “new car” smell it smells like another dog’s ass. The dashboard is made out of kibble and there’s room for poochie to circle before sitting down. Pooper scoopers will be offered as optional equipment.
I applaud Honda for trying a new way to market their cars. But, wouldn’t it be even better if they – along with the others – spent their time and money putting out affordable, safe, fuel-efficient automobiles and stop worrying about the family bitch?
posted by THE RANTING OLD GEEZER at 7:13 AM
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