American Auto Industry Seen at Crossroads

"...overseas companies are attacking them with strong products and good prices, and more of them are coming onto the market each day,†(from article)

No, bozo, it's more like walking into a vacuum than attacking a well-fortified citadel.

 

Not like this is a new trend. Japanese automakers have been steadily gaining market share since the 80s. In my opinion, the major US automakers are always one (or more) step behind.

 

Very good article - sums it up in a nutshell and was not demeaning to foreign automakers.

I was expecting something like "Ford & GM are in trouble...and that's 'because them there japs took our jobs"...

In short, I was expecting it to have the same rantings as Malorn...

 

They're also always a day late and a dollar short

 

The problem is that the good prices are subsidized by foreign governments --I haven't been in an economics class for several years, anyone like to explain to me how that is good for the american consumer in the long run?

 

Who is the largest auto manufacturer in the world? Which corporation sells the most vehicles in the US? Which brand sells the most vehicles in the US? ALWAYS a day late and a dollar short? The media loves to kick 'em when their down and praise them when their up. Eventually it will be Toyota's turn to be down.

 

That's one of the excuses that the American companies have been whining about since the late 70s. As if GM, Ford and Chrysler haven't gotten piles of money from American governments all along through their lobbying efforts and threatening to leave the state or city if they don't get loads of tax breaks. C'mon, GM gets plenty of government assistance too. Lame excuse for not being able to compete.

 

GM has the benefit of US govt policy to artificially depress the value of the dollar to make american exports cheaper throughout the world especially in the the most important market in the world? Foreign governments are doing that constantly and people like your self are part of the problem by defending it. Do you have any idea of the benefit Toyota receives when the yen/dollar exchange changes by even the tiniest amount? Naivete can no longer be an excuse in the 'global economy'. Can someone define 'unable to compete' for me?

 

You would think by reading newspaper headlines and watching various talkingheads that GM and Ford hardly sold a vehicle in the US.

 

I try to buy as 'American' as possible but with some products it is impossible. I think at some point there will be a realization as to what is happening and some gradual changes in peoples buying habits. I think we are in the infant stages of the same type of thing happening with Wal-Mart and people considering the 'real' cost of buying at Wal-Mart.

 

an interesting pardigm shift maybe in the works as the governor of Michigan recently met with Toyota officials to talk about building an engine plant in the state.

would this be a true sign that even its hometown has given up on US automakers?? having ties to Michigan (i graduated hs there) i can only hope.

 

Great for the state of Michigan...we'll help underwrite the cost of a new design facility which will employ a paltry amount of people to make it easier for you to unemploy the rest of the Michigan workforce. What a plan! Can you imagine the area around Tokyo offering inducement for Ford or GM to set up shop? :lol:

 

Exactly.

The fact that the American auto industry still feels the need to argue with and blame the customer instead of trying to figure out why he or she keeps buying from Asian companies is one of the most noticeable symptoms that GM, Ford and Chrysler still don't have their problems fixed, much less identified.

 

I don't think that I don't understand why you think that. Please show me an article/reference that implies that GM and Ford are hardly selling vehicles in the U.S. Everything that I've ever read about the current U.S. auto market has clearly stated that GM is still number one in terms of selling volume but is losing ground to Toyota. How do you jump from statements like that to believing the media is saying that GM and Ford have "hardly sold a vehicle in the US."

 

you dont live in Michigan do you? you dont anyone that is currently looking for a job in an auto plant because they have been told they will soon no longer be employed. therefore i dont expect you to be current with whats going on there.

the design facility is already in the can. no more disscussion on that. the ENGINE plant will directly employ displaced auto workers. this is still on the table. no agreements yet. ok, just speculation. many are hoping for this. you obviously are not one of them.

this imho, is a good thing for a state that has not had a lot of good things come their way lately. nothing wrong with wishing them the best. i will admit, i am a traitor. left the state, dont buy american cars, but still care for the place and the people... the current businesses there can go F*** themselves for all i care.