When General Motors came out with the Hummer H1, they caused quite a stir. Some consumers protested and journalists accused it of contributing to everything from global warming to terrorism. Some activists even broke into car dealerships and burned H1′s to the ground to keep them off the road!
But another group of people absolutely loved the H1. It fit with their identity, and GM exceeded their sales expectations.
Similarly, when the Prius hybrid car came out, it caused equally strong emotions. While some consumers viewed the car as weak and dangerous, others instantly fell in love with it as an answer to their prayers.
Both cars offended one group of people, but also gained a devout following, because they weren’t afraid to commit to one ideology. They took a stance, and stuck to it.
What do you think would have happened if the Hummer and the Prius were combined to create a car that could reach a wider audience?
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