On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:22:46 -0500, Comments4u wrote:

> The line of companies willing to beg for money from Congress has just
> grown longer. Consumers Reports has requested a Congressional bail out
> hearing. In its petition, Consumers Reports cites the costs of massive
> restructuring due to circumstances totally beyond its control.
> Consumers Reports claims that since it doesn't take advertising, it is
> the only unbiased source of product information available to consumers,
> and thus has a vital role that must be preserved.
>
> The magazine's anticipated restructuring costs are due to the impending
> demise of GM, Ford, and Chrysler. With those companies gone, and only
> foreign cars to rate, CRs reliability ratings will indicate a
> statistical impossibility: all vehicles are better than average.
>
> It was originally thought the data could be adjusted at minimal cost
> using standard statistical methodology so an appropriate number of
> vehicles would be rated below average. However CR learned standard
> statistical methodology cannot be used to ajust data not compiled using
> standard statistical methodology.
>
> The compilation of CRs reliability data starts when someone subscribes
> to the magazine. They then read an article in CR on the vehicle they
> own which tells them whether its good or bad. Then they receive the
> reliability questionaire, which they answer according to the CR article.
>
> "Somehow we have to get some vehicles rated below average", said CR
> spokesman Justin Jest "but we can't just produce a bunch of negative
> articles on foreign vehicles over night. It takes time. And money. We
> need and deserve government help. This problem is not of our making"
>
> Initially, negative articles are planned on the companies formerly
> associated with the Detroit automakers, Isuzu, Mazda, and Mitsubishi. A
> template for the articles has already been prepared. "Estimated
> reliability is suspect, as <Isuzu/Mazda/Mitsubishi> was formerly
> associated with <GM/Ford/Chrysler>." But still, that won't be enough as
> these companies have minimal market share.
>
> "They're going to have to take aim at one of the big boys to get the
> numbers" said Joseph Camel of the Brand Research Institute. "They're
> counting on India's Tata Motors coming to America, but while that will
> give them the bottom end, the numbers will be too small."
>
> Mr. Camel thinks Kia is the only possible target. When asked if perhaps
> Toyota or Honda might be a better target for lower reliability ratings,
> Mr. Jest responded "No, we have a policy at CR against attacking
> people's religion".


funny.