Common Sense Not Required: Idiots Designing Cars + Hybrid Vehicles My Career With Chrysler

Author Evan Boberg dispels the myths surrounding the automobile industry and the employees who work there. "With very few exceptions, books about the automobile industry are written by members of the press and by high level executives. The car companies hide the problems and embarrassments from the press and the executives are self-aggrandizing. Though these stories are most often very interesting, they do not tell the whole truth. As a low-level engineer, I was a true insider," says Boberg.

In Common Sense Not Required, Boberg uses humor to expose some of the less intelligent moves made behind the walls of Chrysler. He sets up several "Common Sense Principles" and illustrates with anecdotes from his 12 years at the corporation how these principles were ignored, resulting in increased costs to the corporation.

Common Sense Not Required blends autobiography with a light-hearted expose and includes tips on commonly asked questions about the industry and cars in general. Readers will learn how to find a good mechanic, why certain things aren t covered under a new car warranty, what happened to the 100 mpg carburetor and whether or not to buy a hybrid vehicle.

With wit and wisdom, Boberg offers a humorous collection of true stories that will appeal to anyone interested in cars and hybrid vehicles or anyone curious to know what it takes to work in the industry. According to Boberg, "It doesn t take a genius to design cars, it doesn t even require common sense!"

Several news stories have popped up recently where hybrid owners have been complaining about the fuel economy of their cars. Combined with the information in CSNR, I found myself thinking "sucker" when I observed a hybrid car. I read the book again and realized that it is only Mr. Boberg's intent to educate people about what hybrids are really all about.

It is not a popular notion for someone to criticize new technology. The author predicts that hybrids will never become mainstream. Thinking back in automotive history, the wankel was the future, but it never caught on, though it did survive in the Mazda RX. I hope he his wrong, but I have to give him credit for making a credible argument to the contrary.

I was expecting more inside "secrets" to be revealed. But the biggest secret he reveals is that there just aren't that many secrets. The book is more focused on the bumbling of some of the management and the success Chrysler experienced despite this.

I highly recommend reading Common Sense Not Required. Despite my initial irritation with the author and his unpopular views, I couldn't put it down. The humor is sarcastic, but effective. I really enjoyed reading it twice.