And the Olympians, and race car drivers, and salon participants fought for the right to BE FIRST!
Often you hear - what matters is not victory, but participation. I would add that this is the motto of the losers - those who have all the struggle ahead. And the first is one who is a notch higher than the second, who is already distinguished by an enviable courage, excellent preparation and a thirst for victory. These are all the Olympic champions, such is the winner of our "Race of Stars" - such are the leaders of the global automobile industry!
The Geneva Motor Show was remembered for the fact that the struggle for leadership moved from traditional areas to new, revolutionary segments, which yesterday seemed to many unattainable, and sometimes even utopian. Ahead, as in sports, were those who were ready for this and managed at the right time to realize their accumulated potential! Nowadays, no serious company can afford the luxury of working for a limited "audience", ignoring any classes or groups of consumers! Who is faster, who is more active is the first. Today is a concept in a new class, tomorrow is a production model: champions behave this way. The hybrid engines from Toyota, which yesterday seemed like funny toys, the company says today in all classes - the rest do not have to discuss, but simply catch up … And the pragmatic Germans' intentions to transfer almost 80% of the fleet to biofuel in the near future look absolutely fantastic. Maybe in Russia someone dares to “put” this idea, especially in cooperation with world leaders? The little-known Dacia was able to make itself known by launching the production of the iconic Logan car. And in Geneva, this Romanian company impressed everyone with its successful crossover concept “Stepp”.
In the auto business today, internationalism and innovative solutions rule - while private capital is mainly involved in the struggle. Entrusted to him by experienced senior managers, real champions in their field. Won - glory and honor to you, lost - leave the spectator to the podium. Against this background, it is strange for me to hear proposals from senior government officials to unite Russian private automobile companies under the tutelage of the state. I’m sure that the patriotic courage of the fans of this idea will be wasted in “cabinet wars” - then it will become clear that there’s simply no other baggage for the soul, and the highest leader has already been transferred to another job …