GM trash talking: Nissan design chief takes a cut

Newswheel staff :: 03 April 2006 :: Filed under Chevrolet, GM, Nissan,

[Click on an image to view]

It’s the cars, stupid

GM is struggling because it doesn’t make cars customers want. Not exactly a controversial spin on GM’s current predicament. But still something of an eyebrow tweaker when spewed forth from the mouth of a senior suit at a rival firm. In this case, Nissan Motor Co. Senior Vice President Shiro Nakamura…

To give Mr Nakamura, who is due to slot into Nissan’s chief creative officer role later this month, his moment of glory, he spake thusly unto the Associated Press late last week:

"There was a lack of customer-orientation."

Er, right. That’s well under the radar by western standards of criticism, no question. But for a Japanese executive using very carefully chosen words, something of a minor bombshell. Scurry over to Newsday.com for more from Mr Nakamura. Alternatively, join us for part one of our new Car Design for Dummies course:

A. What customers don’t want. The Chevy Monte Carlo (classy!):

B. What customer do want. The Nissan 350Z:

Linkage:
Newsday.com