It appears the bridge is burning for Toyota as wel

[ViragoBry]

This may be a time that GM is actually able to outshine Japan due to the price and incentive advantage they have. People may be doing some hard bargain shopping right now, and everyone knows you can pick up a nicely equipped Malibu cheaper than a similarly equipped Camry or Accord.

Perhaps the economic crisis will help enlighten Americans that GM is making cars of considerably better quality than in years past when they shop on price alone. Look how far the Malubu came since the last generation.

 

[rszappa1]

I doubt it....in the long run most will take a Honda Accord or a Camry...

 

[StevieC]

I would be hard pressed to buy a North American vehicle even for the attractive price-tag because I'm the "Long-Haul" type of owner that expects to drive the car for hundreds of thousands of miles and the cost of ownership for a North American brand vehicle just isn't economical in my opinion at the present time. Should they "Fix" the problems and step up with products I want to buy that IMO last as long as the competition for long-haul owners such as myself then I will be the first one at the dealership. Before I get shot for this comment, read that THIS IS MY OPINION and I base this on my personal experience and ownership of these vehicles. My dad is also a retired mechanic of 35 years and a former BIG-3 Auto worker so there are some grounds to my choice.

 

[rszappa1]

Remember they are only getting a bridge loan....It is still the same old GM and Chrylser...until they change we are just tossing money out the window...I think with a 53% less sale in Dec for Chrysler they are dead in the water....

 

[1sttruck]

"I'm the "Long-Haul" type of owner that expects to drive the car for hundreds of thousands of miles and the cost of ownership for a North American brand vehicle just isn't economical in my opinion at the present time."

Me too, but that's why I bought a Dodge 3/4 tom pickup with a diesel. It seems to be the leading candidate for the longest lasting vehicle that you could buy, commercial vehicles aside.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Ben Boyle
I don't really care, I don't own a Toyota nor will I probably ever. But, I think that people need to see that Toyota are not Gods. The Prius was heavily subsidized by the Japanese government. They have had severe rust issues in their trucks and sludge in their engines. They, perhaps, have done some things better than the Big 3 but they are not infallible.

Full disclosure, I drive 2 Citroens, 2 Volkswagens (air and water cooled), and a Chevette so they aren't exactly targeting me anyway.


No, they certainly aren't infallible, but they also haven't had anywhere close to the quality control problems the big 3's had either, and they never will.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: ViragoBry
This may be a time that GM is actually able to outshine Japan due to the price and incentive advantage they have. People may be doing some hard bargain shopping right now, and everyone knows you can pick up a nicely equipped Malibu cheaper than a similarly equipped Camry or Accord.

Perhaps the economic crisis will help enlighten Americans that GM is making cars of considerably better quality than in years past when they shop on price alone. Look how far the Malubu came since the last generation.


The new Malibu is a fine example of what GM is capable of. Now if they'd build ALL of their vehicles with this level of quality and committment they wouldn't be in the mess they're in.

 

[Ben Boyle]

Never is a long time my friend.

[/quote]

No, they certainly aren't infallible, but they also haven't had anywhere close to the quality control problems the big 3's had either, and they never will. [/quote]

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Ben Boyle
Never is a long time my friend.



No, they certainly aren't infallible, but they also haven't had anywhere close to the quality control problems the big 3's had either, and they never will. [/quote] [/quote]

The Japanes have, and always have had a different mindset than the big 3. You may see them go through brief periods of regression, but you won't see the kind of stuff happen as what went on with the big 3 (for example allowing total garbage to be produced for literally decades).