RE: [GreenYes] unimog

[Tim Krupnik <tim@ecologycenter.org>]

While I see your point, I would have to disagree that "the problem is....people."  From what I've seen, the Unimog has been specifically marketed to the general public.  In this sense, it's been fetishized as just another product that the "public" has "got to have."

Such a vehicle may have great utilitarian uses, but the cat of the matter is that SUV's and landrovers in general have been marketed to the suburban/.urban dweller and I'd be willing to bet my life's savings that Manufacturers don't care about utilitarian purposes-- they just want to sell, sell sell. 

When are we going to start holding MANUFACTURERS responsible for the problems they create and then willingly MARKET, instead of blaming solely the public?



Resent-Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 14:27:51 -0400
From: "Bantillo, Stephen" <Stephen.Bantillo@ci.sj.ca.us>
To: "'Amy Perlmutter'" <amyp@chelseacenter.org>,
multiple recipients of
<greenyes@earthsystems.org>
Subject: RE: [GreenYes] unimog
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2001 11:34:23 -0700 
Resent-From: greenyes@earthsystems.org
Resent-Sender: greenyes-request@earthsystems.org
Resent-To: multiple recipients of <greenyes@earthsystems.org>

> Unimog is not a new vehicle.  It was created around 1946 out of a desire to
> have a more useful agricultural implement.  Over the years the Unimog has
> been pressed into municipal, forest, and industrial operations due to its
> adaptability and cost-saving utilitarian features.  It has served duty as
> abulances, radio/communications, street sweepers, and a host of other
> useful/necessary vehicles.  And not all Unimogs are behemoth in nature. An
> earlier model with a wheelbase considerably shorter than the current
> "popular" Jeep models was available, and Unimog continues to make
> liliputian-sized vehicles based on customer demand.  Basically, the size and
> design of Unimogs changes based on customers' wants and "needs".  Do I like
> the vehicles?  Sure I do, from a utilitarian standpoint.  The problem that
> arises is when the customers start demanding them for use as
> grocery-getters, shopping mall hogs, or other forms of personal
> transporation.  (If people want something bigger than the Ford Excursion,
> then they should buy an Excavator.)  The point is, these Unimogs are
> well-built and purpose-built vehicles and get their jobs done in an
> efficient manner.  The problem isn't the vehicle or its manufacturer, it's
> people.
>
>
> d8)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amy Perlmutter [mailto:amyp@chelseacenter.org]
> Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 10:45 AM
> To: multiple recipients of
> Subject: [GreenYes] unimog
>
>
> For those of you who are Car Talk fans and/or hate SUV's, Car Talk is
> having a contest to give the new behomoth, the Unimog, a more appropriate
> name.  To vote, go to the following link:
>
> http://cartalk.cars.com/About/Unimog/Naming-Contest/ballot.html
>
>
>
>
> Amy Perlmutter
> Executive Director
> Chelsea Center for Recycling and
> Economic Development
> University of Massachusetts
> 180 Second Street
> Chelsea, MA 02150
> 617-887-2300/fax 617-887-0399
> visit our web site at www.chelseacenter.org

> Tim Krupnik
> Plastics Education Coordinator
> Berkeley Ecology Center
> 1231 Second St.
> Berkeley Ca. 94710
> 510-527-5555
FAX 510-526-7995