Let Market Choose
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH JOHN McElroy's column, “Pick One New Infrastructure, America” (see WAW — May '11, p.8).
On the solution, however, I'm compelled to point out that there is no one on the planet qualified to do the picking — not even you, John!
Only the free market can pick successfully, so what we need to do is resist those who claim they know what's best for the future, and instead focus on using the free market to find the solution and only guiding it around the obvious pitfalls.
Ken
Laurel, MD
X3 Interior Critique
THERE ARE ONLY TWO MAJOR ERRORS with the interior of the all-new BMW X3 cross/utility vehicle (see WAW — May '11, p.20).
First, the “open” cupholders. In any upscale interior, the cupholders should be fitted with a retracting or sliding cover to hide them when not in use. Open-hole style cupholders are no more attractive than an open ashtray or lid-less glovebox.
The second issue only occurs if the X3 is purchased in North America. In Europe, BMW factory-issued floor mats are beautiful, virtually invisible “stealth” mats. No such luck in the U.S., where BMW of North America issues their own mats with giant B-M-W lettering.
Presumably this is done in case the hapless owner should forget what brand of car he is driving. I would never place rugs in my house emblazoned with my initials or family crest, and it would be nice to see the same tasteful discretion from luxury car manufacturers.
James Kraus
Los Angeles
Ward's Faux Pas
I was quite surprised by the reference to the Lincoln MKX and the “faux” wood in the Interior Nominee Quick Hits (see WAW — May '11, p. 30).
We supply the interior trim garnish for the Lincoln MKX, and the consumer has only two options: real aluminum interior trim or real wood interior trim. Inside of that, there are two wood veneer options and two aluminum finish options. There is in fact no faux wood in the Lincoln MKX.
Dennis Walsh
Sellner/Angell-Demmel
Southfield, MI
Editor's Note: Our apologies for the confusion and the unwarranted slam. The Lincoln product team confirms, indeed, the wood is authentic, marketed as Olive Ash and Walnut Swirl.
Cole, McElroy & Digital
FIRST I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE for the article on Dave Cole (see WAW — April '11 p.20). I'm not a “GM Guy,” but I enjoyed reading about a person like Dave, and his father, Ed, and how they positively impacted the auto industry — yet still seem to be down-to-earth. They are true auto heroes.
Second, I enjoyed reading about John McElroy's observed changes in automotive journalism (see same issue, p.10). It has been a closet dream of mine to be an auto writer. But gee, I'm not so sure about that now. Just kidding, but it's still an interesting perspective to consider.
Third, I'd like to express disappointment with the digital Ward's AutoWorld magazine: It's too hard to read. Using my laptop on its highest resolution, it is a strain to read the copy, even in Full Screen mode and with the page “magnified” as large as possible. (I use Google Chrome, if that happens to influence the readability and I'm not aware.) Please update the reader so that more magnification can be provided.
Jason Rogers
Warner Robins, GA
Editor's Note: Thanks for the feedback, Jason. We are looking at new, bolder typeface for body copy and other changes in the digital edition. Stay tuned.
We want your feedback. Please email comments to Editor Drew Winter at dwinter@wardsauto.com. Include your name, city and state. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
