Could the big 3 have figured it out?

[michaelc80]

Going back to their roots? Rather than making cars that are imitations of Toyotas or Hondas should they be making cars styled like "America" likes them?

Retro styling may save the automakers

Or should the concentrate on the world market that prefers a smaller "appliance"?

Ford and GM setting records in China

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

The U.S. automakers can fix any problem they have. It just costs money, which they don't like to spend.

They also don't want to spend the time and money on changing corporate cultures.

 

[robbobster]

Carlose Ghosn said it best (paraphrased):
Carmakers have no problems that great products can't solve.

Up until recently, domestic carmakers have thought that "there are no problems that a new marketing campaign and advertising slogan can't solve" though I think they have realized the error of their ways.

 

[FowVay]

The domestics have been realizing the error of their ways since the 1980's. When are they going to pull their heads out of their behinds and get with the program?

As Dr. Porsche once stated: Changes are easy to make; Improvement takes much more effort.

 

[Propflux01]

They wont change becasue somewhere it will require the downsizing of some corporate big wig who wont allow his job to go down with progress. Until he retires, nothing changes.

 

[Tosh]

Here's where I stopped reading the first puff piece:
"Motown's hottest sellers—the hip-hop Chrysler 300C, the in-your-face Ford Fusion, the vintage Chevy HHR.."
Hmm. Fusion is a restyled Mazda. HHR (hot seller?) is five years late to the PT Cruiser party. And Chrysler isn't really motown any more...

 

[eljefino]

Everyone needs a halo car. Even saturn has its sky convertible.

Unfortunately making sales today with styling cues, but no dramatic mechanical innovations, will mean lousy resale in five years when the body is dated, bad lease rates because of residuals, and a further erosion of the sales base...

And the idiots that buy these fashionable cars will, on average, give them less than stellar maintenance, so they'll be "junk" that much faster.

 

[adam123]

I love the older design of cars. Reminds me of when American cars were themselves and werent trying to imitate something they werent. Personanly I think their moving in the right direction.

 

[mikemc]

The big 3 put most of their eggs in one basket several years ago when American soccer moms decided they had to have a huge, gas thristy SUV to haul around a couple of kids. So when the gas crunch last year cut into sales of what had become their bread and butter, they were back on their heels. Now they have to make an entire line of vehicles that attract everyone, not just one segment.

 

[pastmaster]

To keep this reply short;

It worked for Harley-Davidson!

AMF wanted to sell them and there were no buyers, except for the Corp. Officers and The Bankers, were H-D's last chance. They turned it around with the help of The American Motorcyclists, who bought them.

I bought 2.

 

[robbobster]

quote:

---

Originally posted by eljefino:
And the idiots that buy these fashionable cars will, on average, give them less than stellar maintenance, so they'll be "junk" that much faster.

---

I agree 100%.

I know people...who know people...like this.
My girl's aunt took out a second mortgage to purchase a new 300C (the older FWD version) for 30K...huge wheels, the whole bit. Then she said "maintenance is too expensive" so she drove it into the ground. Died within two years. Still sitting, in need of an engine.

Back on topic:
I just don't see why it was such a mystery that people would buy "a better mousetrap," and not just a "prettier mousetrap."

But I really think (hope) that Detroit is well on their way to making great cars again. It will take a full line of great products and a few years before consumers believe it like they used to, though.

They can't really afford not to.

 

[Ninjaracer636]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pastmaster:
To keep this reply short;

It worked for Harley-Davidson!

AMF wanted to sell them and there were no buyers, except for the Corp. Officers and The Bankers, were H-D's last chance. They turned it around with the help of The American Motorcyclists, who bought them.

I bought 2.

---

It worked for Harley because instead of trying to compete with the Japanese which they knew they couldn't do they sold an image to all the balding middle aged boring execs and middle management people who watched Easy Rider and wanted to ride around 500 miles a year and act like something they;re not.

That doesn't exactly work for cars. People expect their cars to be well built, reliable, technologically advanced, comfortable, quiet, etc, etc.

 

[thooks]

quote:

---

Originally posted by robbobster:



But I really think (hope) that Detroit is well on their way to making great cars again.

---

Give me an idea of the time period when "Detroit" built a 'Good' car.

 

[Dan4510]

Is trolling allowed now?

Dan

 

[robbobster]

quote:

---

Originally posted by thooks:
Give me an idea of the time period when "Detroit" built a 'Good' car.

---

You can't be serious.

Cadillac was once the standard of the world, in more than just an ad slogan.

Lincoln was held in similar esteem at one time.

And 60's and 70's musclecars...

This may have been very long ago, but it can happen again.

 

[Palut]

My dad says over and over that it breaks his heart that he can't trust Chevy enough to buy one of their cars. He was very impressed by a rental Impala he had on a business trip though.

Even if GM's new cars are equal to or better than Japanese imports, it will take several years before they can earn a reputation for long term quality. In they eyes of someone like me, it would take 10-15 years. I just hope the company can last that long.

The more manufacturers we have making top quality cars, the better position we, as consumers, will be in.