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I Would Add One Item for Consideration
Aug. 9th, 2011 09:21 pmJust read a very revealing opinion piece about the BBC show Top Gear faking electric car breakdowns. They're being sued by electric car maker Tesla for trying to pretend a car that can usually drive hundreds of miles on a charge only managed 55. It looks like they repeated the prank with a new Leaf.
The author of the article is dead-on in noting that the Beeb is not in the hands of corporate hacks, in that they are not supported by commercial advertising. What that same author fails to appreciate is that Top Gear definitely is.
Really, think about it. How many electric vehicle makers are there? How many are selling their cars right now? Not many, folks, not many.
By contrast, how many gas and diesel powered car makers are out there? How many are selling their cars? And how is it that an albeit top-rated show gets access to all those flashy gas and diesel cars? Do they pay for the privilege of driving the latest Rolls or Ferrarri? I highly doubt it.
No, Top Gear must tout the party line on electrics as long as that party line is dictated by the sellers of competing petroleum-fueled cars. If they actually dare to like the Tesla or appreciate the Leaf, they can kiss goodbye their next test of the latest Corvette, Bentley, Fiat, Rennault, Ford, Peugot, Volvo, Aston Martin, GMC, Land Rover . . . need I continue?
The author of the article is dead-on in noting that the Beeb is not in the hands of corporate hacks, in that they are not supported by commercial advertising. What that same author fails to appreciate is that Top Gear definitely is.
Really, think about it. How many electric vehicle makers are there? How many are selling their cars right now? Not many, folks, not many.
By contrast, how many gas and diesel powered car makers are out there? How many are selling their cars? And how is it that an albeit top-rated show gets access to all those flashy gas and diesel cars? Do they pay for the privilege of driving the latest Rolls or Ferrarri? I highly doubt it.
No, Top Gear must tout the party line on electrics as long as that party line is dictated by the sellers of competing petroleum-fueled cars. If they actually dare to like the Tesla or appreciate the Leaf, they can kiss goodbye their next test of the latest Corvette, Bentley, Fiat, Rennault, Ford, Peugot, Volvo, Aston Martin, GMC, Land Rover . . . need I continue?