HPEE - 05

After a few days of other issues, lets resume our conversation with The Colonel on HPEE. In our last conversation we were covering a need to change templates, and how easy it is to revert to the status quo.

The Colonel made thought provoking points which we will continue to explore...

Q- Colonel any idea why its challenging to alter templates?

A- I love this another loaded question! The automotive industry for many years has worked very hard to reduce costs and save money. The product we see is the result of these efforts, with the customer reaping the benefits.  Manufacturers can take a product and with market specific adjustments make it work around the planet.

Q- You are saying that its in any manufacturers best interest to keep the existing templates that are applicable to the industry.

A- Absolutely...at the same time they are not fools and realise that there is a strong movement for change especially in the North American market.

Q- How are the customer's expectations being met?

A- The customer is used to looking at vehicles through the customer template which is in a constant and evolving dance with the manufacturer template.

Q- Can you elaborate?

A- Is it to correct to say that in North America there are specific customer templates that manufacturers consider important, there are other templates that manufacturers influence, and other templates that customers expect.

Q- This is sounding like marketing, features, benefits, market segments, demographics, and so on.

A- Yes it is, and we are conditioned and respond to the same marketing messages, features, performance figures, have the parameters really changed? Tom McCahill 50 years ago was doing the same comparisons and road tests.

Q- Are you saying that the parameters are the same, with technology giving it a new facade?

A- Its the same templates, enhanced by technology.

Q- That sounds simplistic.

A- We are not going to discuss the present templates at length, we would need a few hard drives and all sorts of time, plus enough pundits are talking about it, and expressing their opinions on a daily basis.

Q- What you are saying is that the present templates work, they are numerous and sophisticated, with technology facilitating the analysis and empowerment for the manufacturer and customer.

A- Took the words out of my mouth...you guys are good! Do you realise that this can lead to confusion?

Q- Many manufacturers are trying to engage the consumer/customer to explore potential new templates?

A- Yes...it sounds good, it looks good...the Holy Grail Template is out there for all to see if they want to see it.

We will continue...