Marketplace

I listened to Monday's Marketplace story about Daimler-Chrysler's future changes.
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/02/05/PM200702053.html

The reporter, Alisa Roth, gave background of the situation with other Detroit automakers in case listeners didn't remember the exact figures or details. While this was more of a business, as opposed to consumer, story, they tried hard to relate it in terms that 'regular' people would understand. One source explains that there has been a shift in consumer tastes from mid-size sport utility vehicles to smaller passenger cars. A quote from an economist explained why Daimler-Chrysler should be cautious when forming partnerships because of differing customer bases. Instead of using big words or confusing statistics, he explained that a potential Mercedes customer may be turned off by similarities between the luxury car and a much cheaper Chrysler car. The story discussed potential lay-offs as well, but didn't explain what this might mean for consumers (cheaper but harder to find Chryslers?) Overall, though, I thought this story did a very good job of explaining business in an easy-to-understand way.