What a warning, and a crucial lesson for today’s culture! Something perverse in me sees these cars as attractive in a twisted way, mostly from thinking how much a well-restored model would be worth. (To someone else, not that I would pay hard earned money for one!). However, our world is filled with Edsels: shiny machines and ideas built by hard-working intelligent people yet lacking the practical grounding in the struggles of “Joe lunch-bucket.” How easily the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life lead us astray!
There are a dozen reasons the Edsel failed. As a one-time Chevy Monza owner, I know that once the engineers fail, it is financially too late to stop production. Of course, those that own an Edsel today can tour with similar types.
I knew a girl in junior college who explained precisely why the Edsel failed. She said the auto industry subliminally makes its best-selling cars look like penises and the grill of the Edsel looks like a vagina.
1. At the time, "dealers" were essential key components of sales success. They were individual businesses, entrepreneurs that built their success on selected products. Cross the dealer and there's a problem. Edsel having mechanical issues - that's the strike right there. Especially after significant buy-in investment such as demo model and additional parts purchase. It looks like Ford was ALSO seeing the dealers just as a $ source and how could they get more $ from them? Then did NOT live up to to those higher expectations and left them holding the bag - what were they gonna do with these duds and how would they recoup their investment? Bad strategy! Basically Ford put a dent in their own life support system.
GM had a successful strategy with tiers of value. Sounds like US car makers presumed they had it all in the bag and didn't see the VW Bug coming. Who would think after WWII that Americans would embrace something that was a by-product of the defeated N a z i regime? The US car industry was caught again in late 70s when soaring gas prices from middle east embargo caused gas rationing and lines - and suddenly Japanese small cars became of interest. It seemed unthinkable to accept something from former Axis war enemy. Toyota and Nissan took off and US brands stumbled to catch up.
Our Dad was mostly GM - but he did go for a Ford Mustang. Consumers like innovation and style - but the product has to work well!
2. Genuine opportunities vs empty promises: I lean on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.
3. Similar hype today: blatant use of peer pressure via "celebs" recruited (bought out) to appeal to human FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Influencers are like pied pipers. Everyone is trying to make a buck $. Little integrity. Having 100% "faith" in the human world will end in failure.
4. Maintain focus on eternal values - seeing it is so important. Once a person sees and understands it, maintaining it requires consistent effort, through Bible study, worship, having like-minded friends. It does NOT mean giving up all the fun in the world. With discernment from Holy Spirit that Jesus brought to us, we are elevated to a new life of joy and looking forward to eternal life.
Just 5 years later, Ford hit a grand slam with the Mustang... demonstrating that failure doesn't have to be a permanent condition!
What a warning, and a crucial lesson for today’s culture! Something perverse in me sees these cars as attractive in a twisted way, mostly from thinking how much a well-restored model would be worth. (To someone else, not that I would pay hard earned money for one!). However, our world is filled with Edsels: shiny machines and ideas built by hard-working intelligent people yet lacking the practical grounding in the struggles of “Joe lunch-bucket.” How easily the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life lead us astray!
One of the ugliest automobiles ever produced. It's demise was pre-determined.
There are a dozen reasons the Edsel failed. As a one-time Chevy Monza owner, I know that once the engineers fail, it is financially too late to stop production. Of course, those that own an Edsel today can tour with similar types.
I knew a girl in junior college who explained precisely why the Edsel failed. She said the auto industry subliminally makes its best-selling cars look like penises and the grill of the Edsel looks like a vagina.
1. At the time, "dealers" were essential key components of sales success. They were individual businesses, entrepreneurs that built their success on selected products. Cross the dealer and there's a problem. Edsel having mechanical issues - that's the strike right there. Especially after significant buy-in investment such as demo model and additional parts purchase. It looks like Ford was ALSO seeing the dealers just as a $ source and how could they get more $ from them? Then did NOT live up to to those higher expectations and left them holding the bag - what were they gonna do with these duds and how would they recoup their investment? Bad strategy! Basically Ford put a dent in their own life support system.
GM had a successful strategy with tiers of value. Sounds like US car makers presumed they had it all in the bag and didn't see the VW Bug coming. Who would think after WWII that Americans would embrace something that was a by-product of the defeated N a z i regime? The US car industry was caught again in late 70s when soaring gas prices from middle east embargo caused gas rationing and lines - and suddenly Japanese small cars became of interest. It seemed unthinkable to accept something from former Axis war enemy. Toyota and Nissan took off and US brands stumbled to catch up.
Our Dad was mostly GM - but he did go for a Ford Mustang. Consumers like innovation and style - but the product has to work well!
2. Genuine opportunities vs empty promises: I lean on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.
3. Similar hype today: blatant use of peer pressure via "celebs" recruited (bought out) to appeal to human FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Influencers are like pied pipers. Everyone is trying to make a buck $. Little integrity. Having 100% "faith" in the human world will end in failure.
4. Maintain focus on eternal values - seeing it is so important. Once a person sees and understands it, maintaining it requires consistent effort, through Bible study, worship, having like-minded friends. It does NOT mean giving up all the fun in the world. With discernment from Holy Spirit that Jesus brought to us, we are elevated to a new life of joy and looking forward to eternal life.
The few remaining Edsel's are still valuable. The ones still moving had to have some modern modifications but still a "different" car.