Last year talk was all about the Car of Tomorrow. Now it’s about the Car of Poland. Or Laos. Or Dijbouti,
All of a sudden, with GM and Chrysler cutting back, attention is centered on what, for NASCAR, seems an obvious escape clause.
Let’s see, if American manufacturers are hurting, then … perhaps we need more foreign manufacturers.
Never mind that there isn’t one substantial bit of evidence that any new manufacturer is on the horizon.
Don’t believe me? Listen to what Brian France, chairman of NASCAR, actually said at the informal media session last weekend in Michigan.
“In terms of a new manufacturer joining this sport, that’d take a long time to evaluate,” he said. “That’s not something we can turn the light switch on tomorrow morning and it’d happen.”
In other words, NASCAR isn’t against it. It considers all options and entreaties. We already knew that.
The only way France could have prevented subsequent stories was to say, no, we’re not interested in new manufacturers. The chairman of NASCAR wouldn’t say that even it if was true. So he makes the obligatory “we’d be happy to discuss” remark, and the feeding frenzy ensues.
Was France just answering diplomatically? Was he trying to plant the story? Was he trying to stir up interest? The first option is probably the closest to correct.
On second thought, though, France was planting, too.
“I’m not going to name names, but we have companies that are interested in developing the North American market as robust as they can,” he said. “You’re well aware there are lots of foreign manufacturers now producing cars here in North America. As Toyota did, that was their rationale. It helps them associate more with this market, and we’re the preeminent place to consider, should a company want to do that.”
Should a company want to do that. Notice how he didn’t say the unnamed companies were interested in, say, competing in the Sprint Cup Series. They were interest “in developing the North American market.” What a surprise.
The planting went well. A few sprouts broke ground. It’s a long way from any bountiful harvest.
At the moment, it’s merely spin. NASCAR spins like a top.