Thomas Friedman wrote a column in the December 18, 2008 issue of the New York Times in which he gave advice to the car companies. Friedman was saying that the car companies were giving the public what they wanted, but that was their problem. “Their job is to make the cars people don’t know they want but will buy like crazy when they see them.” He noted Apple’s success with the iPod and Toyota’s success with its hybrid. His point was that companies that are too market-driven are in danger; they need to show customers the possibilities because often customers don’t know what they don’t know until they see other options.
by Geoffrey H. Fletcher
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