It's been many years since the Holocaust but quite a few Jews still have an issue buying German manufactured goods. While many may not have a problem buying inexpensive items such as household items or shavers, many will not buy a German car. Instead they opt for luxury they will go the way of an expensive Japanese car such as Lexus and Acura. Many have stayed away from the likes of Volkswagon and Mercedes etc.. The beetle for example, is known as being Hitler's inspiration. Volkswagon recently has made an effort at good relations with the Jewish population i.e. it has established a fund to compensate Holocaust survivors.The latest PR move from Volkswagon is to honor a Holocaust survivor who apprenticed at a VW plant in Braunschweig. I'm not sure I'm all that moved by these efforts and I doubt I would ever buy a German car as there really are so many other alternatives(and from what I understand they don't make the most reliable cars). I still can't forget about what the Germans did to the Jews and hopefully none of you will either. You can read about the latest gimmick VW is pushing forward to increase it's potential sales and gain a greater market share. I guess the question is: if you fully comprehend what happened during the Holocaust, how can you feel good about buying German?
Sunday, November 05, 2006
German Cars and Holocaust Survivors....
It's been many years since the Holocaust but quite a few Jews still have an issue buying German manufactured goods. While many may not have a problem buying inexpensive items such as household items or shavers, many will not buy a German car. Instead they opt for luxury they will go the way of an expensive Japanese car such as Lexus and Acura. Many have stayed away from the likes of Volkswagon and Mercedes etc.. The beetle for example, is known as being Hitler's inspiration. Volkswagon recently has made an effort at good relations with the Jewish population i.e. it has established a fund to compensate Holocaust survivors.The latest PR move from Volkswagon is to honor a Holocaust survivor who apprenticed at a VW plant in Braunschweig. I'm not sure I'm all that moved by these efforts and I doubt I would ever buy a German car as there really are so many other alternatives(and from what I understand they don't make the most reliable cars). I still can't forget about what the Germans did to the Jews and hopefully none of you will either. You can read about the latest gimmick VW is pushing forward to increase it's potential sales and gain a greater market share. I guess the question is: if you fully comprehend what happened during the Holocaust, how can you feel good about buying German?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I also try to avoid buying German products, though I can't say that I strictly adhere to this! Truth is most products today are international in reality and not manufactured using parts made only in one particular country. Your Japanese cars may contain components from Germany and the USA and your German cars may very well be 50% or more of French or Chinese origin...
I can understand any Jewish person avoiding German products.
I stay FAR away from German made products.
I was amazed when we got to Israel to see how many German made products are bought.
Batya,
I was surprised by it too.
Israel is full of Mercedes taxis, but I believe that has to do with a special deal the German government gave Israel early on as part of Holocaust reparations.
My mother told me many times point blank that she would not want me to buy a German automobile. Still, her cousin, whose mother spent the entire war with my mother, had a BMW for as long as I can remember.
Personally, I have tried to adhere to this policy, although I have considered buying one of the new Chryslers, which are now owned by Daimler. At some point I think you really need to move on, and reassess who are your friends and who are your enemies.
God gives us the ability to forgive.
Post a Comment