United Cheapskates

Linked in previous, worth a reprint.

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All US automakers of any size had a Canadian division at one time or another. We branched in other countries less regularly. Our Canadian products were different in two ways from our US cars. (1) More variety. (2) More practical and economical choices.

I’ve discussed more variety before. It violates the alleged rule of economies of scale.

The practical side leads to an interesting cultural connection. GM and Chrysler’s Canadian versions of Pontiac and Dodge were cheaper and slightly smaller than the US versions and used smaller engines. When the US types gave up on sixes, the Canadians kept sixes.

Another commonality is found in the names of models. We gave mainly French names to the specific Canadian series. Ford had Rideau, Montcalm, LeMoyne, Frontenac. GM had Parisienne, Laurentian, Acadian, Beaumont. Chrysler went the other way with Brit names: Regent, Kingsway.

We were selling to both Frenchmen and Scots.

Canada uniquely unites two very different Euro tribes. Part of the secret is genuine modularity. The provinces traditionally have more sovereignty than our states.

Modularity is the best way to maintain an organism or a program or an empire. Let each organ or module or province keep its own language and customs. Let each organ or province have its own internal secrets, not visible or forced by the central controller. The central government or body maintains trade between the organs/provinces, takes care of external imports and exports (eating and pooping) and collects a tax (oxygen, nutrition) from the internal commerce. The central government doesn’t want or care to know about the internal operations of the modules.

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Scots and French are different in most ways but agree strongly on one point: THRIFT.

Scots are frugal in everything. Money, words, emotions.

MacTavish, hear you buried your wife in the field.

Had to. Dead.

French are extravagant in words and emotions but frugal in money and especially frugal in skill-estate.

Our auto companies understood this point. They tried to give both nationalities some names to feel at home with, and gave both the cheapos they wanted.

South of the border, the same makers were catering to the opposite US taste for meritocracy. We united our various groups with the myth that every man can be a Morgan or a Gates or a Rothschild. Just buy a Bel Air or a Belvedere or a Fairlane (named after Henry’s estate) or a Galaxie or a Fury. Own the beachfront mansion! Own the universe! Exert your angry power on the masses!

In your dreams.

Thrift is real and constructive. Anyone can be thrifty, and it’s the best way to be rich in the ways that count, time and peace of mind. Extravagance is mythical and destructive. Only the real Morgan and Gates and Rothschild can be genuinely extravagant. Ordinary people go broke fast when they try.