Chevrolet Finds New Way To Fail

Posted by: Tristan

As the scene of America’s greatest loss against its Japanese competition, one might assume that Hawaii might take a live-and-let-live attitude towards our Asian competitors.

Not for one Hawaiian Chevrolet dealership.

Island Chevrolet general sales manager James Severtson arranged for a Chevrolet Suburban SUV outfitted with massive tires costing $5,000 apiece to drive over a Honda Accord.

Well, that sounds like just the gimmick that will draw in…people who already drive Chevrolets.

Unfortunately, the exercise became yet another metaphor of the Big Three on life support…

On the first attempt Friday, the monster truck blew a hydraulic hose and leaked vital fluid while the Honda remained intact and ready for more.

For most companies, having a highly orchestrated theatrical defeat of your competition blow up in your face might prove too much of an embarrassment to go on.  Not for Island Chevrolet, though.  In an attempt to become a metaphor for the Detroit bailout, they redoubled their efforts.

After several hours, the truck was repaired and driver Ryan Kepiki tried again, this time with a Hyundai Excel sedan parked next to the Honda.

Kepiki drove over the cars’ hoods, destroying the windshields to the seeming delight of the rush-hour crowd.

Severtson said the dealership had been planning the crush-fest for a while. But he said it was a happy coincidence President Bush approved a bailout for U.S. automakers as the weekend arrived.

“We’d like to send the message that the best way to support your country is to buy an American vehicle today,” Severtson said.

Unfortunately, Chevrolet’s practice of building cars in Canada and Mexico, when companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Nissan and Honda are building cars within US borders makes the message a little confusing.