humble_dor
Many European car makers are installing high-tech systems on their products, things like Anti-Blocking System, Electronic Stability Control, Anti Skidding System, computerized gearboxes that will function either by a command on the steering wheel or fully auto depending on the driver selection, computerized All Wheel Drive systems that transfer automatically the power between the front and rear wheels depending on the conditions of the road, and YES, brake and gas pedals working By-Wire, even in small cars! Shall I continue? Europeans love High-Tech stuff, it sells very well. And by the way…how many American cars have all this systems fitted?
I think it’s a question of mentality differences, be it cars or airplanes.
ElectroVlasic
The Sonic Cruiser is a direct consequence of the market laws. The A380 and the Sonic Cruiser projects were known more or less at the same time, and the market chose one of the concepts as it would have better chances to become true after the (euro)bucks start rolling. Should Boeing be embarrassed? Of course not. They came up with their best ideas for a high capacity long haul, and they didn’t get the market too excited about it. Should they quit trying? Only if they want to close their business. But you’ve got to admit that Airbus has got the b@lls to move forward in spite of the uncertainty of most buyers economic health when finally the bird’s delivery arrives. But then again, the higher the risk, the higher the gain.
GD&L