Letters

Automotive Industries,  Feb, 2003  

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Covisint: Dead or Alive?

After reading your editorial 'Covisint is Dying" (Al December 2002, p.4)1 find it humorous that you could form this opinion of a company that you have so little knowledge about. Why would you pick Covisint for this opinion? Why not Commerce One? Or Ariba or others who have failed already or are on the verge failing from the downturn in the economy and the Internet boom. Everyone is allowed an opinion, but I suggest you do a little more investigation before forming one. People who know the facts all understand how ridiculous your comments are.

"Bitterm itch"

via Internet

You weren't the only one that felt that way Mitch. Covisint President and COO Bruce Swift wrote me to disagree as well We did however, receive more than 20 letters that agreed with my analysis. I'm sharing a few of them below.

Ed

I just read your editorial on Covisint and I think that you nailed its self-inflicted predicament On the day it was announced (and hailed then by some as the industry's Second Coming), I recall thinking that, once you blew away the cyber smoke and smashed through the digital mirrors, what you had left was fog to bottle. I never put those thoughts into words, but you did it better than I ever could. Thanks for another great read.

John Ojala

via Internet

Covisint was dead from the beginning. If I had not retired at the end of the year 2000, I would have been transferred into it. Having much to do about the purchasing process and systems at one time for GM, I can assure you that your analysis is correct. Covisint was a top down remnant from the Lopez era.

Ed

Cislo

via Internet

I just read your article in the December 2002 issue about the impending death of Covisint I could not agree more. I would like to send your article to some friends of mine. Could you send me a digital coy of your article?

Dell West

via Internet

Dell, tell your friends to visit our newly signed web eat www.al-online.com.

Ed

We're Right

In the December, 2002 issue page 38, the article refers to the 2003 Peugeot as a compact car. Is the picture incorrect? It looks like a minivan.

Mel Jameson

via Internet

Mel, the picture is deceiving. Yes, the Peugeot does look a lot like a minivan but It Is a tall, small car. in Europe, It is commonly known as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) -- a segment we do not have In the U.S.

Ed

Ray Windecker's article in the Opinion and Analysis' Section entitled, "is Share Erosion Inevitable?" (Al January 2003, p.16) shows Nissan with over a 200 percent increase and narya word.

The Balance of Power article highlights Mercedes doing such a great job by getting 288 hp out of 5.0L, the 3.5 Nissan (Infiniti) 3.5L pumps out 288. Again, nary a word!

Don Lewis

Scottsdale Arizona

Nissan gained share In the last year. Now the trick will be to keep it as the article states. The Balance of Power article was about Detrolt's Big 3. Nissan is based a little too far East to be included.

Ed

We're Wrong

In reference to your "Class Clone" article (Jan. 2003, p.49). If Ford affixed a prancing horse badge to one of their vehicles (as your caption suggests) Ferrari lawyers would be on the phone in a Maranello minute. The "strategically placed" badge on the GT's flank is Carroll Shelby's Terlingua Racing Team crest A horse??? Naaay, a belligerent rabbit (and three feathers) that found its way to Trans Am, Sebring and LeMans winner's circles.

Erick Carlson

via Internet

Right you are Erick. As another reader shared: "The logo of the rampant jack rabbit holding up one front paw as if to say "Hold the peppers" is from the 1.967 Shelby TransAm team and was drawn by famous automotive artist Bill Neale. Terilngua was a ghost town on a ranch in Texas owned by Carrol Shelby that grew chills for his Texas Chill Company.

Ed

On page 12, December 2002, Maybachs are very big. At 62 meters long, the larger model would be 200 feet. Lots of room inside but a bear to park. The smaller at 57 meters, 190 feet, should be a little easier. Also on page 16 you show auto shows from all over the world and miss the Toronto International. Maybe, as we are metric up north, with your metric conversions we are just past the moon!

Smiling Bill

via Internet

You're right and we're wrong Bill. That's the long and short of it. -

Ed

Still Buzzed

I am writing concerning the November 2002 issue and "the Buzz." Similar to all of the reader responses, I have also seen this phenomenon occur in other manufacturing industries. Please provide this article electronically, if possible, and continue to publish the high quality of information that I have become accustomed' to receiving each month.

Michael A. Palumbo

via Internet

Look for the "Buzz" and lots more at www.al-online.com.

Ed

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