Most people who are into cars, if they met face to face with an executive vice president of a car company, would probably know what to say to him in terms of improvements on a car. Chances are, most people will never get to meet a VP of a car company to voice their opinions. The key then if one ever wants to see improvement on a car is to take a moment to write letters to coporate and make sure they get to the right people. I don't know how the German luxury marques are, but I know for a fact that letters addressed to the VP of all the Japanese luxury brands are eventually read by them. The auto industry is highly competitive right now and corporations spend money to hire outside research firms to survey what people want. But, it's even more accurate when us customers ourselves write to corporate and let the VP's know what we want.
After writing to Nissan/Infiniti, I eventually came in correspondence with Nissan VP of Global Communications Simon Sproule. I really liked the Infiniti EX concept and wrote to him telling him what should be done for the EX to be a hit. He gave me a bit of early news on the EX. Here is an excerpt of the correspondence:
Dear VP Simon Sproule:
In months to come, I may be looking for a mini SUV such as the
all new exciting Infiniti EX concept!
I really liked the look of the new EX concept at the New York auto show
and might consider one. I passed on the Acura RDX because it doesn't
offer power seats for the front passenger.
Please take note of these suggestions for the new EX:
---I realize that features such as the transparent glass roof will
not likely make production, but PLEASE DO NOT TONE DOWN THE INTERIOR
QUALITY OF THE EX CONCEPT for the production model. The interior design
and quality appearance of the EX concept is totally AMAZING. I will
probably put a deposit in for one if I am assured the production
quality
will be the same as the concept's.
---Critics have always said Nissan/Infiniti always shows great
concepts but that they are always toned down for the production model.
You have not disappointed us with the all new G35, the new G37 and the
new GT-R seems to be the return of 'Godzilla'.
Please DO NOT DISAPPOINT US FANS WITH THE NEW EX CONCEPT!!
---make sure the Around View Monitor and Ambient headrest
illumination make production. I am very, very excited about these
features.
Sincerely,
David
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Dear David,
Nice to hear from you. regarding the EX. I don't know all the details of final production
but it will have the around view monitor and I am told that the
interior
of the concept is very close to the production car. We have NOT told
the
media yet, but the production car will be shown at a special event in
August this year - so if you can wait, send me a note in a couple of
months and I can get you some details and pictures.
Thanks again for the note - glad to hear that Infiniti is still
attracting you!
Best regards
Simon Sproule
_______________________________________
Corporate Vice President
Global Communications
Nissan Motor Company Ltd.
17-1, Ginza 6-chome, Chuo-Ku
Tokyo 104-8023, JAPAN
Tel: +81 3 5565 2145 Fax: +81 3 3546 2669
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Take Home Message: Letters to corporate regarding improvements or future vehicles are actually read by senior executives. Take the time to write if there is something you would like to be implemented. Obviously, if one person makes a suggestion, it might not be taken in. But if EVERYONE wrote letters complaining of the same thing, you can be sure they'll do something.
BTW: The VP's E-mail address is: s-sproule@mail.nissan.co.jp
If you have any Nissan/Infiniti concerns, write to him. He reads his mail!