Fire is an interesting phenomenon. It is the basis for all of man's technology and it's been keeping us warm for several thousand years. Yet an undeniably negative connotation surrounds the word because it is often associated with death and destruction. In truth, fire serves an important purpose, even in it's most destructive form. In nature a fire often clears an area of crowded, older trees to make room for younger, healthier saplings. There are even plants that thrive on fire, using the heat to release seeds for a burst of new growth.
As firestorms go, 2009 saw one of the most destructive infernos engulf the automotive industry since Karl Benz patented his first car in 1886. And we still don't know the full extent of this latest firestorm. Even as I write my blog entry the future of multiple manufacturers remains uncertain.
However, I would argue that much like the cyclical fires consuming old growth forests, the automotive carnage of 2009 isn't something to fear or lament but rather a natural and necessary component of industrial evolution.
Seriously, let's take a look at what we "lost" in 2009 and ask ourselves if the industry is really worse off than it was a year ago.
