American cars ... Why?

[ChIoVnIdCa]

Americans build a good amount of "American" cars. But a lot of it goes to other countries (Mexico, Canada, etc)

Americans build a decent amount of imports


American car company's make no money
Japanese car company's make money

So having the American company that makes no money is doing nothing for us besides providing some people with overpaying jobs? (Its not like Detroit is even a good place now..........Yes I know they are also built in other parts of the country)

Why bail out American car companies if they make no money? Why not give tax breaks / incentives for imports to build more here and let the non profitable companies fail?

[deevergote]

It's all based on what the non-profitable companies are promising on the horizon.

Chrysler, as much as I hate to say it (since I have a Chrysler dealership in the family) is sinking. Chrysler has very little on the horizon to appeal to a future market. Chrysler should merge the Chrysler and Dodge brands, and make pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and crazy performance cars like the Viper and SRT-8 cars. They should dump everything else. The PT Cruiser has lost its novelty, and the Japanese offerings of similar utility are superior.

GM has some decent offerings. They bought Daewoo for their small engine, they have some fuel efficient cars on the road, the Volt is promising, they have a few Hybrid models (including the thoroughly whacky Tahoe and Escalade hybrids...) GM's quality is also rising significantly (which is probably partially to blame for their lack of profitability.)
GM has a future.

Ford is beginning to bring their European offerings to the US. Ford's Euro arm is vastly superior to the US junk they have to offer, save for their trucks, and MAYBE the Mustang (which has always been a cheapie sports car... but it delivers as promised). Ford's future in the US is going to swing on the successful execution of the introduction and integration of their European designs. The designs and engineering are fantastic, without a doubt. The questionable part is whether or not the US market will buy it. (plus, I think the Flex is an absolutely awesome vehicle to look at )



Japanese companies are going to start feeling the crunch of "the quality just isn't there anymore". Honda did it with the 6th gen Accord... they skimped, and it showed. They've recovered, though... and I feel the current Honda/Acura offerings are very well made.

Toyota is boring. Toyota is the Oldsmobile of the Japanese world. Lexus is cool, but the sporty Lexus models, like the IS-F, are for a very niche market. Toyota is doing well with reliability, though not quite as well as 15 years ago... and their fuel economy is quite good. They're doing fine.

Mazda is doing VERY well, I think. They're still not on top financially (and the ship that went down a while ago had to hurt...) Still, they have very solid offerings throughout their range. The new 6 is going to be a true Accord/Camry competitor, the 3 is one of the very best compact cars on the road IMO (though not the most efficient), the RX8 will always have its fans, and their crossover and SUV offerings seem very popular where I live. Of course, the Miata is a car I dream about

Subaru is Subaru. They've always been consistent.

Nissan is hugely popular, but the quality isn't quite there. They're going to be in for a surprise when the general public realizes it. They still have edgy designs, and you get a lot of car for the money. I'd be considering a Cube if it was out now.

Hyundai is the one to watch. They're going to get HUGE, or they're going to fall on their face. I'm leaning towards HUGE.

[skilzz]

hey deev did mazda really have a ship full of cars that sunk?

[ric3rboi23]

hey deev did mazda really have a ship full of cars that sunk?

lol thatd suck

[JDMchristian991]

It's all based on what the non-profitable companies are promising on the horizon.

Chrysler, as much as I hate to say it (since I have a Chrysler dealership in the family) is sinking. Chrysler has very little on the horizon to appeal to a future market. Chrysler should merge the Chrysler and Dodge brands, and make pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and crazy performance cars like the Viper and SRT-8 cars. They should dump everything else. The PT Cruiser has lost its novelty, and the Japanese offerings of similar utility are superior.

GM has some decent offerings. They bought Daewoo for their small engine, they have some fuel efficient cars on the road, the Volt is promising, they have a few Hybrid models (including the thoroughly whacky Tahoe and Escalade hybrids...) GM's quality is also rising significantly (which is probably partially to blame for their lack of profitability.)
GM has a future.

Ford is beginning to bring their European offerings to the US. Ford's Euro arm is vastly superior to the US junk they have to offer, save for their trucks, and MAYBE the Mustang (which has always been a cheapie sports car... but it delivers as promised). Ford's future in the US is going to swing on the successful execution of the introduction and integration of their European designs. The designs and engineering are fantastic, without a doubt. The questionable part is whether or not the US market will buy it. (plus, I think the Flex is an absolutely awesome vehicle to look at )



Japanese companies are going to start feeling the crunch of "the quality just isn't there anymore". Honda did it with the 6th gen Accord... they skimped, and it showed. They've recovered, though... and I feel the current Honda/Acura offerings are very well made.

Toyota is boring. Toyota is the Oldsmobile of the Japanese world. Lexus is cool, but the sporty Lexus models, like the IS-F, are for a very niche market. Toyota is doing well with reliability, though not quite as well as 15 years ago... and their fuel economy is quite good. They're doing fine.

Mazda is doing VERY well, I think. They're still not on top financially (and the ship that went down a while ago had to hurt...) Still, they have very solid offerings throughout their range. The new 6 is going to be a true Accord/Camry competitor, the 3 is one of the very best compact cars on the road IMO (though not the most efficient), the RX8 will always have its fans, and their crossover and SUV offerings seem very popular where I live. Of course, the Miata is a car I dream about

Subaru is Subaru. They've always been consistent.

Nissan is hugely popular, but the quality isn't quite there. They're going to be in for a surprise when the general public realizes it. They still have edgy designs, and you get a lot of car for the money. I'd be considering a Cube if it was out now.

Hyundai is the one to watch. They're going to get HUGE, or they're going to fall on their face. I'm leaning towards HUGE.

hmm..i always thought hyundai was korean like kia learn something new everyday

[skilzz]

lol thatd suck

yea i had to ninja edit

[ric3rboi23]

yea i had to ninja edit

me too

[ChIoVnIdCa]

It's all based on what the non-profitable companies are promising on the horizon.

Chrysler, as much as I hate to say it (since I have a Chrysler dealership in the family) is sinking. Chrysler has very little on the horizon to appeal to a future market. Chrysler should merge the Chrysler and Dodge brands, and make pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and crazy performance cars like the Viper and SRT-8 cars. They should dump everything else. The PT Cruiser has lost its novelty, and the Japanese offerings of similar utility are superior.

GM has some decent offerings. They bought Daewoo for their small engine, they have some fuel efficient cars on the road, the Volt is promising, they have a few Hybrid models (including the thoroughly whacky Tahoe and Escalade hybrids...) GM's quality is also rising significantly (which is probably partially to blame for their lack of profitability.)
GM has a future.

Ford is beginning to bring their European offerings to the US. Ford's Euro arm is vastly superior to the US junk they have to offer, save for their trucks, and MAYBE the Mustang (which has always been a cheapie sports car... but it delivers as promised). Ford's future in the US is going to swing on the successful execution of the introduction and integration of their European designs. The designs and engineering are fantastic, without a doubt. The questionable part is whether or not the US market will buy it. (plus, I think the Flex is an absolutely awesome vehicle to look at )



Japanese companies are going to start feeling the crunch of "the quality just isn't there anymore". Honda did it with the 6th gen Accord... they skimped, and it showed. They've recovered, though... and I feel the current Honda/Acura offerings are very well made.

Toyota is boring. Toyota is the Oldsmobile of the Japanese world. Lexus is cool, but the sporty Lexus models, like the IS-F, are for a very niche market. Toyota is doing well with reliability, though not quite as well as 15 years ago... and their fuel economy is quite good. They're doing fine.

Mazda is doing VERY well, I think. They're still not on top financially (and the ship that went down a while ago had to hurt...) Still, they have very solid offerings throughout their range. The new 6 is going to be a true Accord/Camry competitor, the 3 is one of the very best compact cars on the road IMO (though not the most efficient), the RX8 will always have its fans, and their crossover and SUV offerings seem very popular where I live. Of course, the Miata is a car I dream about

Subaru is Subaru. They've always been consistent.

Nissan is hugely popular, but the quality isn't quite there. They're going to be in for a surprise when the general public realizes it. They still have edgy designs, and you get a lot of car for the money. I'd be considering a Cube if it was out now.

Hyundai is the one to watch. They're going to get HUGE, or they're going to fall on their face. I'm leaning towards HUGE.

In GMs case they want $50 billion of government-backed loans. What happens if they fail like they have been. Who pays for the loan if they default. The government AKA the taxpayer AKA me They had there chances and failed... Why should they or any big corporation get hand outs. Why save a company that cant make money.... Pride?

[skilzz]

me too

damnit you had me thinking i read the wrong thing

[skilzz]

but yea on a serious note when they closed the GM plant in Janesville.. shit went DOOOOWWWWN

[sunburn]

It's all based on what the non-profitable companies are promising on the horizon.

Chrysler, as much as I hate to say it (since I have a Chrysler dealership in the family) is sinking. Chrysler has very little on the horizon to appeal to a future market. Chrysler should merge the Chrysler and Dodge brands, and make pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and crazy performance cars like the Viper and SRT-8 cars. They should dump everything else. The PT Cruiser has lost its novelty, and the Japanese offerings of similar utility are superior.

GM has some decent offerings. They bought Daewoo for their small engine, they have some fuel efficient cars on the road, the Volt is promising, they have a few Hybrid models (including the thoroughly whacky Tahoe and Escalade hybrids...) GM's quality is also rising significantly (which is probably partially to blame for their lack of profitability.)
GM has a future.

Ford is beginning to bring their European offerings to the US. Ford's Euro arm is vastly superior to the US junk they have to offer, save for their trucks, and MAYBE the Mustang (which has always been a cheapie sports car... but it delivers as promised). Ford's future in the US is going to swing on the successful execution of the introduction and integration of their European designs. The designs and engineering are fantastic, without a doubt. The questionable part is whether or not the US market will buy it. (plus, I think the Flex is an absolutely awesome vehicle to look at )



Japanese companies are going to start feeling the crunch of "the quality just isn't there anymore". Honda did it with the 6th gen Accord... they skimped, and it showed. They've recovered, though... and I feel the current Honda/Acura offerings are very well made.

Toyota is boring. Toyota is the Oldsmobile of the Japanese world. Lexus is cool, but the sporty Lexus models, like the IS-F, are for a very niche market. Toyota is doing well with reliability, though not quite as well as 15 years ago... and their fuel economy is quite good. They're doing fine.

Mazda is doing VERY well, I think. They're still not on top financially (and the ship that went down a while ago had to hurt...) Still, they have very solid offerings throughout their range. The new 6 is going to be a true Accord/Camry competitor, the 3 is one of the very best compact cars on the road IMO (though not the most efficient), the RX8 will always have its fans, and their crossover and SUV offerings seem very popular where I live. Of course, the Miata is a car I dream about

Subaru is Subaru. They've always been consistent.

Nissan is hugely popular, but the quality isn't quite there. They're going to be in for a surprise when the general public realizes it. They still have edgy designs, and you get a lot of car for the money. I'd be considering a Cube if it was out now.

Hyundai is the one to watch. They're going to get HUGE, or they're going to fall on their face. I'm leaning towards HUGE.

I agree with you

hyndai/ kia has really come a long way and they seem to be getting better .

all cars have plus and minus to them .

I was a huge mopar guy still like the mopar stuff , but they just dont seem to have it alltogther any more
they have some really cool cars , but most of them are for neich markets ( srt , the challenger etc)
the only bright thing i can say about gm is they have the zr1 , bout it I hate their cars in genral every gem i have ever had has been a huge pain in the ass to work on this includes my transport van with the 3400 in it , the only thing that would make me like this van would be if i swaped a gtp supercharged motor in it

ford well cars stink with the execption of the mustang , I do like their trucks (f-250 with the powerstroke )

honda although I really like honda over all I belive they have priced them selfs out of some markets (yes they hold their value ) but over 40 grand for a new odyssey touring now come, really.

car makers are going to suffer ingenral until things change,most people nolonger can aford a new car with gas, food and everything else going up .

I have been toying with the idea of switching my cars over to c.n.g (still doing my home work)

[skilzz]

i just completely hate american vehicles (except for their semi-tracktors)
o and my friends completely stock cobalt ss is pretty sweet(even tho he doent see this)

[The G-Man]

hey deev did mazda really have a ship full of cars that sunk?

Yes. There was an article about it in this month's issue of Car and Driver.

[ChIoVnIdCa]

Yes. There was an article about it in this month's issue of Car and Driver.

I would assume the ships /shipping company's insurance would of covered that.

[Chicano2005]

hey deev did mazda really have a ship full of cars that sunk?

Thousands of Mazdas stranded on Pacific ship

July 28, 2006

Vancouver, British Columbia - The fate of thousands of Mazda cars was uncertain this week after the ship carrying them to North America rolled on its side in the Pacific Ocean.

The Cougar Ace rolled sideways when the massive ship's ballast tank was adjusted.

The automaker had 4700 vehicles aboard the automobile carrier Cougar Ace that began taking on water on Sunday and listed so heavily that the 23 crew had to be rescued by the US Coast Guard.

The 199.3m Mitsui O.S.K. Lines ship was still afloat on Wednesday with its keel and propeller out of the water and did not appear to be sinking.

A Coast Guard cutter was standing by near the Cougar Ace, about 370km south of Alaska's Aleutian Islands, and waiting for a salvage ship to arrive.

Mazda imports most of its vehicles to North America from Japan. The shipment aboard the Cougar Ace was bound for Vancouver in British Columbia, Tacoma in Washington and then Port Hueneme near Ventura in California, said Mazda spokesman Jeremy Barnes.

More than half the cars on board are Mazda 3 models, the automaker's best-selling vehicle. Another quarter of the cars are Mazda's 2007 CX7 crossovers, Barnes added.

"We don't know the condition of the cargo or whether it will have to be scrapped."

The Coast Guard said nobody was allowed on the ship but the agency said it was making preparations in case the salvage company wanted to tow the Cougar Ace into Alaskan waters. - Reuters