The BIG Three... Uh Oh

[aero]

Just wanted to see what people thought about it.

*First GM finally hands over the trophy for first place to Toyota. It was a long time coming, and there was no question that it would happen this year. I wonder how long GM can keep 2nd place. I guess it would take a lot for them to lose it, and they are actually starting to produce some decent cars that people like.

*Chrysler parts out the company, Daimler is set to lose 500million in the deal to drop the Chrysler name. Chrysler was already planning for 'downsizing' prior to the sell off, and the funny thing is that the Union people were all against it just a short while ago, and all of the sudden, they accept it. I wonder who got paid off, or maybe there is really light at the end of the tunnel.

*And its nothing more than a rumor right now, but supposedly the Ford family is thinking about selling off some or most of their shares of Ford. Since 1999, the shares have dropped 75%, they shoulda done it sooner.

I feel really bad for anyone directly attached to these corporations, but then again, the whole country is. Hopefully the companies can start bringing in a profit for once. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem possible with all the extra 'overhead' they have with pensions, union contracts etc...

I know it would face some serious opposition, but I wonder if/when Detroit will become motor city again... but this time with the new Big 3.

[owequitit]

Just wanted to see what people thought about it.

*First GM finally hands over the trophy for first place to Toyota. It was a long time coming, and there was no question that it would happen this year. I wonder how long GM can keep 2nd place. I guess it would take a lot for them to lose it, and they are actually starting to produce some decent cars that people like.

*Chrysler parts out the company, Daimler is set to lose 500million in the deal to drop the Chrysler name. Chrysler was already planning for 'downsizing' prior to the sell off, and the funny thing is that the Union people were all against it just a short while ago, and all of the sudden, they accept it. I wonder who got paid off, or maybe there is really light at the end of the tunnel.

*And its nothing more than a rumor right now, but supposedly the Ford family is thinking about selling off some or most of their shares of Ford. Since 1999, the shares have dropped 75%, they shoulda done it sooner.

I feel really bad for anyone directly attached to these corporations, but then again, the whole country is. Hopefully the companies can start bringing in a profit for once. Unfortunately, it doesnt seem possible with all the extra 'overhead' they have with pensions, union contracts etc...

I know it would face some serious opposition, but I wonder if/when Detroit will become motor city again... but this time with the new Big 3.

I agree on GM, although Toyota has not officially passed them until the end of the year.

Also, with Chrysler, I wonder if they were sugar coating their books. They had an awefully abrubt swing to a huge loss from a huge profit.

With Ford, the Fords aren't going to sell their stock, they were pressured to at the lastest shareholder meeting.

They have a special class of stock that keeps them in control with 40% of the voting rights, and the other shareholders wanted them to convert it back to regular stock, which would essentially wipe out their stronghold.

Really, what Ford needs are some decent products. Why are we nursing the 10 year old Focus platform, when a Focus based on the same chassis as the entry level Volvo is available every where else?

What about the Falcon GT, and F6? Those would be enticing cars over here.

Instead we get bloated underpowered, plain, boring SUV's, trucks and cars fit for the rental fleet.

The Mustang is the 1 exception.

[NAiL05]

Well Toyota and them have been starting to set up base here in the US and HOnda in some areas which provide some jobs. I guess its a northern thing with the Unions? I never got those.

[HenRoc]

I dunno, Ford just sold off Aston Martin (from what I read on this months Road & Track) but still hold at least a 77 million dollar stake in the company.

Id say the big three are starting to really sink in deep. Now its the imports that are slowly starting to take over the market here.

I think the ONE key thing that the American Automakers should be focusing on are the smaller SUVs and cars that are pretty much starting to take over the roads.

I mean who would want a big ass Excursion, Suburban or an Aspen when gas prices are starting to go upwards to 5 dollars in some parts of the country.

I'm having a hard time with my truck and it's only a 3.0 V6! I'm noticing a trend too, everytime I try and look for a used Accord (90-93) no matter what the condition is...it's still to damn expensive (for me anyway) to buy one.

15-17 year old car for 8 grand? no way in hell I'd dish that much out, I mean I may sound like Im being cheap but seriously it's ridiculous.

For the money some of this 'dealers' seek for one I could probably buy a 98 Civic fully loaded for the same price.

[aero]

Well Toyota and them have been starting to set up base here in the US and HOnda in some areas which provide some jobs. I guess its a northern thing with the Unions? I never got those.

Unions... do help the workers, essentially do less work, and still get guaranteed great pay. For example, with the union, on a construction site, a job like off-loading a truck would involve a unionized driver, probably assistant, person to open the gate, people to get the stuff off the truck, and people to move the goods, all of which are making a hell of a lot of money. Instead of just two people to drop the stuff off, and two people to take it off the truck.

Of course, that is my oversimplified example, but IMO thats what happens with a union. And its great as long as all of your competition agrees by the rules, but when you are dealing with foreign countries that dont have to pay a receptionist 25 dollars an hour... they are obviously able to undercut you on your prices.

[aero]

I agree on GM, although Toyota has not officially passed them until the end of the year.

Also, with Chrysler, I wonder if they were sugar coating their books. They had an awefully abrubt swing to a huge loss from a huge profit.

With Ford, the Fords aren't going to sell their stock, they were pressured to at the lastest shareholder meeting.

They have a special class of stock that keeps them in control with 40% of the voting rights, and the other shareholders wanted them to convert it back to regular stock, which would essentially wipe out their stronghold.

Really, what Ford needs are some decent products. Why are we nursing the 10 year old Focus platform, when a Focus based on the same chassis as the entry level Volvo is available every where else?

What about the Falcon GT, and F6? Those would be enticing cars over here.

Instead we get bloated underpowered, plain, boring SUV's, trucks and cars fit for the rental fleet.

The Mustang is the 1 exception.

I totally agree with you on Fords lack of common sense. had they brought over some of the cars they have overseas, even I would have been probably shopping on their lots when looking for a new car. But the rental cars that they sell as of now spark no interest, and never will. The mustang is a nice car, at least it is starting to handle a bit better than in the past. We'll see if someone can get Ford headed in the right direction.

I know that they were saying that they will lose sales on stuff like the Volvo's over here, and that people wouldnt want to spend more money for a Ford... but if they actually had a car worth buying (ie. one from overseas), then people would be willing to dish out more. In the short run, it'll obviously mean more losses, but they better stop worrying about the short run, and think about the long run soon or else they will continue to shrink until its too late.

Anyone wanna pitch in and purchase the majority of Ford so we can turn it around and make some money??

[NAiL05]

Ahh I see that makes more sense now Aero. thanks for clearing that up. I rarely see any in the south thats why I wanted to ask.

[accordtypeR]

Its sad to see the lossess these companies are suffering from and the fact that alot of people may lose their jobs but if you did some history this was gonna happen...I mean sit back a minute and look at the picture ( this is my opinion ) chrysler hasnt been out with a cool product since the prowler...other than that .
Ford is going through some changes itself with its new design team. Some of their vehicles were boring and the fact that their products other than the mustang doesnt hold value at all for shit. Their salvation is gonna always be their truck and suv market because thats what the amreican family want..who knows where the next trend is gonna be..
The japanese makers from day one has made fuel efficient cars and suv..now they have stepped up on preformance where as GM and Ford has always concentrated on motor size and HORSEPOWER..now thier they are trying to play ketchup and its simply biting them in the ass..I mean too little too late in my book....

[growguy]

im still wondering why ford hasn't offered a turbocharged focus here. the euro styling on the focus looks sick but for some reason they think selling watered down crap here will do the trick.

mabye this is what it takes for them to realize what needs to be done to regain some market share and quality preception from buyers.



am i the only one who wonders why there are no 15 year old quick awd sedans/coupes made by domestic car makers? (talon dosent count) things started going wrong a long time ago for the big 3.

[ceelooboob]

and we have no one to blame but google,walmart,and starbucks...cause they are taking over the world

[MikeW]

i like Wal Mart and Starbukcs...

Instead we get bloated underpowered, plain, boring SUV's, trucks and cars fit for the rental fleet.

The Mustang is the 1 exception.

I agree the bloated, underpowered part, but not the mustang. Here again, IMO, theyre getting overrated too. Dont ask what i consider to be the new hotness, but im just getting tired of it. I think they had something with the Five Hundred, and maybe the V6 AWD Fusion/Milan. But nowadays its all about the economy, and the environment and this hybrid crap. Maybe even head and leg room, but thats what everyone wants.

Im glad to see Toyota taking the Pick-up award finally. That truck rocks balls! And i think we all saw Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth going under. Its survival of the fittest at its best.

[accordtypeR]

im still wondering why ford hasn't offered a turbocharged focus here. the euro styling on the focus looks sick but for some reason they think selling watered down crap here will do the trick.

mabye this is what it takes for them to realize what needs to be done to regain some market share and quality preception from buyers.

Hey bro its the same reason why honda did wanna bring the AccordTypeR, CTR, and NSX-R...they said that it wouldnt have a market here... which is stupid since the tuner industry is a multi- billion dollar industry..

[owequitit]

I want to respond to this in depth, but I don't have time at the moment.

[MikeW]

Got your hands "full" ???

[wlfpck]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=5205

racing spec focus.... intriguing