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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
 Posted - 09/08/2007 : 04:55:29
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Near-perfect vehicle a failure outside Asia
Bangkok, Thailand (MPS) -- Chakri Muay, President and CEO of Thai Motors, can't understand why his company's breakthrough Sawasdee SUV has flopped in the West.
The four-wheel drive vehicle passes all international safety and emissions standards with flying colors. The Sawasdee is an all-electric, plug-in vehicle, sporting Thai Motors' proprietary Garuda battery system, which provides 1,000-mile range with a 20-minute household AC recharge.
The Sawasdee, named for the traditional Thai greeting, retails for only $3,000 USD. With an optional ($500) rooftop solar charger, its range is 1,500 miles. It is capable of going from 0-60 in four seconds, and cruising at 150 miles per hour. Its four hub-mounted, brushless, computer-controlled DC motors are virtually maintenance-free and provide both regenerative braking and goat-like off-road traction.
Yet no dealership in Europe, the Americans, or Australia has ordered a single vehicle. "I just cannot understand this," said Chakri. "Sales are great in Thailand and elsewhere in Asia, but we just cannot sell any in the West. When we shipped three to an auto show in Israel, for instance, the authorities there took one look, instantly seized them, and used them as practice targets for IDF artillery. Then they deported our employees. They did not explain. Very strange!"
"I can only surmise," said Chakri, "that we have not painted enough lucky Buddhist manji symbols on the vehicle. So our Bangkok production line will now paint more and larger manjis on the newest production run of the Sawasdee. This time, the manjis will sport a cheery and auspicious red background instead of turquoise. So perhaps we shall have luck!"
The 2008 Thai Motors Sawasdee SUV.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
Edited by - HalfMooner on 09/08/2007 06:18:34
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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 06:29:16 [Permalink]
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| This is a funny little story, and reminds me of that game they play on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, where a listener has to guess which of 3 wacky news stories are real. |
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JEROME DA GNOME
BANNED
2418 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 08:06:31 [Permalink]
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What is wrong with the ancient sun symbol? 
Hindu sun symbol:
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What a man believes upon grossly insufficient evidence is an index into his desires -- desires of which he himself is often unconscious. If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way. - Bertrand Russell |
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The Rat
SFN Regular
Canada
1370 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 08:39:40 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by JEROME DA GNOME
What is wrong with the ancient sun symbol? |
Or with the Hakaristi?
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Bailey's second law; There is no relationship between the three virtues of intelligence, education, and wisdom.
You fiend! Never have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity! Have you ever considered a career in the Church? - The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Blackadder II
Baculum's page: http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=3947338590 |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 16:38:55 [Permalink]
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There were variations on the swastika all over the world, long before the Nazis. But if there's one thing the Nazis accomplished that will last 1,000 years, it is the ruination of the symbol in Western culture.
By the way, the fictional Thai auto's name, "Suwasdee," comes from the same root as "swastika." And my inspiration for the story comes from this Time magazine article on the "50 worst cars." (Which is a hoot to read in its own right.)
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 09/08/2007 16:46:37 |
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Chippewa
SFN Regular
USA
1496 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 17:13:57 [Permalink]
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The blue swastika on a white background was also the national insignia of the Finnish Air Force through most of WWII. (The Finns flew planes bought from Germany, USA, England, Holland, France and several indigenous designs, and they fought against Russia and later Germany.)
It must have confused and pissed off the Nazis to see German planes with swastikas on the wings shooting at them.
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Diversity, independence, innovation and imagination are progressive concepts ultimately alien to the conservative mind.
"TAX AND SPEND" IS GOOD! (TAX: Wealthy corporations who won't go poor even after taxes. SPEND: On public works programs, education, the environment, improvements.) |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2007 : 17:51:22 [Permalink]
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Chip wrote:| It must have confused and pissed off the Nazis to see German planes with swastikas on the wings shooting at them. |
Just the getting shot at part alone would tend to piss me off, swastikas or not. Even a Happy Face roundel on the plane's wing wouldn't cheer me up very much. But I'm sensitive about such things.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
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Thai Motors puzzled at slow global sales of SUV
