GM to Install Engines From China

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AZ being a "Right to Work" state allows the resort where I work to pay me $2.15 an hour! I rely on the tips I make as my income and do not recieve any raises other than charging company conferences a higher cover gratuity. This resort is the highest money maker in its chain (world renowned) and the favorite of the owners (billionaires). Good enough reason to have a union IMO, might as well be working in a foreign country.

As for US quality in autos: I used to be a valet at another world renowned resort here in AZ and parked many a brand of car. Acuras to ZR-1s, Yugos to Ferraris. Believe it or not...this is why I own a Toyota truck. For what I could afford/want/need, there was no other option close. Another opinion: The owner of the stereo shop that installed my system commented on the quality of Japanese (#1 for his choice) and German (#2) engineering was far superior to American. Mind you, he installed competition systems, not the local yahoo shop type rigging up stereos. I read an article last year from Bob's homepage in which Ford (?) stated they will match Toyota's quality within two years. Makes you think about the past years.

"You get what you pay for". A lot of American products are cheap, and thats exactly what they are. On the other hand when I buy a great US product (Redline Oil, DeWalt, Kirby, Airgun Designs (paintball gun
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), I'm just as happy. I guess I'm saying I'll buy a product considering quality over country of origin. Its not personally economical otherwise in the long run.
 
Toy4x4, for literally decades the American car companies have pledged to build cars that = the Asian imports in quality. But note they NEVER say = them in reliability and durability, just = them "quality". That's the kicker.
Often "quality" to an American company merely means fit and finish.

Example: in 1971 GM introduced the Vega and Ford introduced the Pinto. They said these cars were going to be import crushers. Turned out to be exactly the opposite! Terrible problems with reliability and durability.

Then in 1989 Tom and Ray Maggliozi confidently pledged that "GM would be the come back car of the 90's". Another prediction that flopped.

Then there was Saturn -another car that was going to set the standard for small car quality. A quick review of this forum reveals Saturns have alot of reliability / durability issues after 70,000 miles.

So when Ford says its going to = Toyota quality in 2 years you can be virtually 100% certain Ford does not intend to match Honda / Toyota / Nissan in reliability and durability. Maybe match in fit and finish, maybe in ride and handling, but not reliability and durability.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Malibu:
So when Ford says its going to = Toyota quality in 2 years you can be virtually 100% certain Ford does not intend to match Honda / Toyota / Nissan in reliability and durability. Maybe match in fit and finish, maybe in ride and handling, but not reliability and durability.
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I thought some of the GM makes scored above-average in the JD Powers studies. I wish they would rank all automakers, even the ones which finished below average (they list the below average ones alphabetically). I would really like to see the data, even if it were "off the record." I was under the impression that GM might match some of the imports in long-term reliability, but this does not take into account that the imports in question are more satisfying to drive, as well as have a better "feel" in general (think small panel gaps, thoughtful features, top-notch, matte interior plastics, and real wood instead of plood). JD Powers does not take those factors into account (apparantly GM doesn't either).

Also, while I admire Bob Lutz's turnaround of Chrysler, I also believe that his reengineering of their vehicle line resulted in their vehicles from about 1995 onward having subpar safety scores. It appears he is doing the same thing with GM by removing standard ABS and side airbags on some models. The new Accord has four-wheel discs with ABS standard on all models. Notice how Ford made a big deal out of saying that the sexy new Mustang will not have the roll hoops that were included on the prototype. Do they really have that much contempt for their customers? The New Beetle convertible, at the same price point, has rollover protection, ABS, and side airbags standard. I am not aware of any import convertible that does not have rollover protection. I am not aware of any domestic convertible which does have rollover protection (maybe the new Cadillac?--but I know the Corvette doesn't).
 
Interesting thread. Here in West Virginia I've watched several coal miners' unions strike themselves out of business. Seems they can't realize they are in a dying industry.

I can't completely hate unions. I've noticed the unionized grocery stores are much cleaner and the staff is more helpful than at the non-union grocery stores.

But, they do seem to often be shortsighted.

Myself, I currently have two cars: one, an American-badged car built in Canada by an American-owned corporation; the other, a Japanese-badged car built in Japan by a company partially owned by American interests and partially owned by Japanese interests and which has substantial American investments. I own both because they fit my needs at a price I was willing to pay, and if another company wanted those dollars then they should have built a better car (and should be sure to treat customers with respect at the dealership, still a HUGE problem, why should I have brand loyalty if the first thing I have to do is fight over the price of the %$#@!! car??). I didn't take country of origin into consideration at all.

Oh, and the Americans need to start offering a little variety, seems almost everything they build is FWD/auto. Need some stick shifts and some RWD in the mix too. The GTP would be badass with a 6-spd.

Cheers, 3MP
 
Why do the employees take the pay cut ,cut the ceo. and management pay. Have the cities cut the landing fees! I do not work for an airline. Chevrolet may not be like a rock but from my experience it's the heartbreak of America.
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segfault, a really accurate and unbiased measure of vehicle reliability for the past 30 years has been Consumer Reports. Since 1975 nearly all Toyotas Hondas & Nissans have ranked far ahead of any American make.

Once in awhile an American make will briefly show improvement an (e.g. Ford F-150) then slide back into their old unrelaible pattern again.
 
its comon knowledge in the auto industry that Honda and Toyota are at the top of the heep quality wise. BTW I work for a tier2 supplier to GM and I havent driven one for several years. That tell you anything.
 
Looks like the story was mostly correct.

2004 proved to be the year the Saturn Vue (which is the platform the Equinox is based from) saw the Honda 3.5L V6 engine and 5 speed Auto (from the Honda Odyssey) installed under it's hood. The Equinox now is stuck with GM's ever-leaky 3.4L V6 engine family.

I own one of these Vue's, 250HP is quite fun!
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I'm on my third ford with no problems. Looked at the toyota and its fit and finish was the worst. Nissan was the second worst fit and finish. All three fords I have bought are the best in the fit and finish category. The first one I bought I sold to the guy down the street. Still runs and looks new with over 200k on the clock. Just goes to show you most of the "experts" here are only expert in their own opinion.
 
wow, nearly 3 years and the post comes back to life, didnt know that was possible. lol just busting a few balls.
 
My 02 Toyota was made in Kentucky.
My 02 VW was made in Mexico with an engine from Poland and a trans from Argentina.
Go figure.
 
Resale value is oversold. After six or more years, a Sonata is worth nearly the same as an Accord if both are similarly equipped according to Kelly Blue Book. The first three years after purchase are when resale value differences are most important. Even then, you have to also factor in price paid. A top of the line Accord EX V6 without nav system is fully $6,000.00 higher out the door than the new Sonata LX loaded to the gills with current rebates. Personally I'd prefer the Honda to the Hyundai and will pay the difference without so much as a whimper in another 2 1/2 years. My '03 Sonata, purchased 3 1/2 years ago under budget restraints, has been rattle-free, economical, and trouble-free, but its driving characteristics aren't anywhere nearly in the same league as those of my lamented '96 Accord.
 
quote:
The Equinox now is stuck with GM's ever-leaky 3.4L V6 engine family.
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Funny how you bumped this thread!

I wouldn't say that the 3.4L 6-cyl in the Equinox is leaky. The 2004 may've, but >2005 models were supposedly fixed. All the GM 3.4L engines mfg in China had a different gasket design I heard???
 
All the GM 3.4L engines mfg in China had a different gasket design I heard??? No matter what the Chinese do to the 3.4, it has to be better.
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You have to love all the knuckle drager's yelling "Buy American" as they drive buy in their Eqinox with it's engine made in China, transmission made in Japan and final assembly in Canada!!! I find this fun on so many different levels!! I especialy love how they think their vechile is more AMerican then a Tundra made in the USA with 70% domestic content!!!
 
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