GM and pollution – back around 1982, I was doing computer work for Oldsmobile (RIP). To celebrate the remodeling of the factory in Lansing, they had an unusual “open house”, allowing anyone who came to wander through the entire factory for an evening.
Along the way, there was a demo to help you understand the government pollution standards. It was a great big revolving tub (like they use for random drawings of postcards). It was filled with empty pill casings – with colored ones thrown in showing the allowed levels of nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants. Of course, it was almost impossible to spot the colored capsules.
I considered asking “so if I breathe this mixture, how long until I’m dead?” – but decided against doing that… But it gives you a hint at how GM’s senior management considered PR to be how to deal with its problems
Ah, the good old days. But maybe a little too subtle for govt. types ….
Now we have the regulator owning one of the regulated going after their competitors in Congressional hearings and with fines. Can’t compete in the marketplace, but we can in the hearing room or courtroom.
I bought a Prius, not cause I’m Green, but I believed him when he said he was gonna drive the price of a gallon of gas over $4.