On the other hand Collin, my 7-year old Honda Integra has never, ever let me down through mechanical failure (only ever stopped because the battery was dead). I think I prefer a company which prefers 'softly,softly, catchee monkey' to rushing in with the latest gizmos which then have to be repaired or recalled. Same with Pentax - despite Alan Chan's unfortunate experiences (Alan, are you _sure_ you're buying new when your lens screws have tool-marks on them?) - I have only twice had to put a Pentax camera or lens into service. Once was for a CLA when I bought a second-hand ME, and the second time when the meter died on my original ME, then 20+ years old.
Conservative is good! John Coyle Brisbane, Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 3:53 AM Subject: Beginning to understand > I've been working @ Honda R&D America for the last 6 weeks or so. > Fascinating experience. > Very conservative, but not like a US/Western company conservative. > Adds some light to the Pentax "slow" issue. > They don't expand lines beyond demand. > They don't (appear to) force sales beyond production capabilities. > They don't spend money except where it's needed. > R&D appears to drive marketing. (That's the real difference!) > > Oh, and everyone wears a uniform. Everyone. White shirt & pants. > > Pentax is probably the same or similar. > Just biding their time and taking things as they come. > Something we in the US/West are not used to. We want it now, > tomorrow at the latest, but prefer yesterday. > It's a "safe" approach but easily a losing paradigm in a rapidly-changing > market segment. > > 2c, > > Collin > KC8TKA > > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > mail2web - Check your email from the web at > http://mail2web.com/ . > > >
