THE TRUTH ABOUT AUTOMOBILES
A. J. Smith
165 pages
$9.25 Ohio Res./ $8.75 Elsewhere Available through Amazon.com
The exciting and tremendous growth of the automobile industry
in the 20th century has caused most of us to ignore some of the negative
aspects of its rise to dominance in transportation and in manufacturing.
In this book the author examines the negatives of current automobile
design and he examines the destruction of competition, by means fair
and foul, by the "Only Three" (the author prefers "Only Three" to the
"Big Three").
He backs up his analysis and opinions with 111 notes that indicate
a scholarly knowledge of the mechanics of automobiles and of its
evolution. This small book (165 pages) contains more food for thought
than many books four times as large.
This book is packed with fascinating facts. For example, did you
know it was Ferdinand Porsche who tilted the king pins in order to utilize
front wheel drive in his electric car (see US patent 754,802).
He reviews the arguments for electric cars, air-cooled engines, and
the external combustion engines.
The author blames much of the ills of the current automobile industry
upon "vertical integration." That is the buying up of parts suppliers and
thereby forcing any potential competitor to not only be an assembler but
to manufacture the parts required.
One of the really ugly stories is how General Motors helped destroy
the nation's electric interurban transportation system. The details will
infuriate you. He notes that today several European countries have a
50% electrified rail system whereas the US relies almost entirely on
GM diesel-electric locomotives.
Yet another example of how the small manufacturers were frozen
out is the exclusive dealership policy begun in 1925 by GM, Ford, and
Chrysler.
The author condemns "layered cars," that is putting in layers of parts
covering the previously installed layer of parts. This lowers their
engineering and assembling costs but tremendously increases repair costs.
He contrasts American and Japanese management styles by noting:
"When faced with a difficult technical problem, the Japanese try to solve
the problem by hiring more engineers to find a solution. When an
American company faces the same problem, the Americans solve the
problem by hiring more lawyers."
With regard to invention the author notes: "Historically, America has
led the world in technology and innovation. . . . The Only Three are
reducing the United States to second rate status because they cannot
afford to utilize new technologies. By destroying the technical infrastructure
which produces automotive innovation and the competitive market which
generates the incentive to innovate, the Only Three have destroyed America's
competitive advantage."
Interestingly, the Snell Report to Congress in 1974 (that he cites in
note #26) had a plan for creating a competitive automobile market.
(This reviewer could only find on copy of this incredible report in
Cuyahoga County -- on microfilm in the Cleveland Main Library
Document Dept. Strange, very strange indeed.)
This book's discussion of Stirling cycle engines, including Ohio's
Robert Beale's free-piston Stirling engine, and modern electric cars is
worth the price of the book.
When you finish reading this book you will be convinced the author
is not an ivy tower theorist but a down to earth realist. In his preface he
says: "I have no illusions of generating change. Absent some immense
outside force, it is too late for change. However, if some economic
catastrophe were to strike, this work might be worth considering in
restructuring." In the last chapter he sadly concludes: "I don't believe
you will ever see an electric car as long as General Motors remains as
powerful as it is . . . ."
This is a great gift book. An intelligent 16 year-old will understand
it, a 26 year-old will demand to know why our government has allowed
it to happen, and a 36 year-old may sit down and cry over what might