Hey Plantu, Americans don't care, dude.

Al Jazeera sur Seine:

The image of Airbus in the United States has been tarnished in the past few weeks, while that of Boeing is gilded anew. The two manufacturers have devoted themselves to a merciless commercial war using the active economic diplomacy of their governments. But their conflict is also exposed in the media. Boeing underwent quite a bit of criticisms in the press because several chairmen were unable to keep up sales. Today, the tide has turned and it’s Airbus which becomes the target of critics.

The A380 is the subject of attacks over its fuel consumption, its weight, and its excessive size.

It can only be about ‘image’ when you’re trying to convince yourself that it isn’t about making good planes that sell well. Chirac arranges state visits just to sell planes. Bush doesn’t seem to have time for that kind of thing. As for Boeing being ‘gilded’, one wonders if this writer has ever been to the United States. Americans aren’t nationalistic about companies, and we don’t rely on corporate sales figures to provide then with their self esteem.

The fuse is lit!