Numbers are parodoxical.
On one hand, they are black or white. Wrong or right. Inarguable.
On the other hand, they can be manipulated to result in a conclusion you desire.
But, if you have enough numbers, you are able to see the truth. Or, at least, enough of the situation than just one statistic.
A Ford Motor Company ad (”Both coasts have spoken.”) on the back page of the September 2007 issue of Motor Trend caught my eye recently. The ad boasts that, after 400 people test drove the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, Ford rated higher than its competitors in terms of being “attractive,” “fun to drive,” “performs well” and “handling.” Each time a participant scored the Ford, Toyota or Honda in one of the categories, that car received a point.
Okay, comparisons versus competitors is good advertising. Head to head.
But, if you look at the numbers, there are other ways to look at the survey.
In the “attrative” category, Ford scored about 250/400. Or, percentage wise, only 62.5% liked Ford. If you’re in school, that’s an F.
In the “fun to drive” category, Ford scored 300/400. Or, 75%. That’s a solid C.
In the “performs well,” category, Ford scored about 310/400. Or, 77.5%. Still a C.
In the “handling” category, Ford scored about 240/400. Or, 60%. An F.
Granted, Toyota and Honda scored worse.
Now, if you’re playing baseball, Ford and Honda would both be MVPs, with Toyota doing okay.
Life is neither a baseball game nor a classroom. And, really, if I’m buying a vehicle, things like price, reliability and safety (I’m a parent) are much more important.
And, if you look at each of the figures individually, there’s really nothing to boast about — no matter what coast you’re on.
– Mike
(Owner of a 1998 4dr Ford Escort (mine’s red) and a 2001 Honda Odyssey)
