We’ve Been Begging for Styling

I have to disagree with the premise that styling is the new “trend” in the automotive market (“Selling Sizzle,” by Patrick J. Kiger, Special Auto Issue, Sept. 14). In my experience, most trends are simply missed opportunities that always have been present in the market but were never addressed. Consumers have been begging for exciting styling that makes an emotional connection or a personal statement, but manufacturers haven’t been listening.

Look at the success of the new Nissan and Infiniti models; this is directly related to a major change in management leadership in product planning and design. The companies are now committed to their own target customer and less obsessed with how to compete with Toyota.

Dennis Stefani

Diagnostic Research International

Los Angeles