I just got my recent issue of American Machinist Mag. and it has this editorial in it. Personly I think he's just trying to stir up some feelings for the big three.

http://www.americanmachinist.com/ful....php?WID=13069

 

Sounds pretty accurate to me. The last American stronghold is trucks, and many of the Asian companies are getting started with them. Many "American" cars are even built here anymore, so the term "buy American" is a bit of a misnomer.

 

Moved to automotive forum

 

Thanks Dennis I thought i was in the right one.

 

I think this is fairly accurate, if a bit overdone. If you've seen previous posts I've been barking on this for a while. 1/2 ton and larger trucks are the Big3's last dominant market (the Ranger stills sells well, but Fords just ridin' the downward slope here too). Say what you want about the Tundra or Titan, but IMHO Nissan out-engineered Ford from the get-go, even with Ford's 'total-redesign' - better motor, trans, axles (OK maybe not), at least as good interior, and the best thought out bed anywhere. And 'performance' - oh, never mind. . . (Its got issues, but expect Nissan to fix this within a year or two.) The Tundra - from all I've read and seen, test-driven, talked to owners, etc. it has the reliability any of the Big3 can only dream about. 'Drives more like a car' seems to be a 'complaint' - unless I was dreaming, Ford was touting the F-150's 'quiet ride' since the '05's release. The Tundra's not 'full, full-size', but it will very interesting to see what their '07 redesign ends-up as (don't be surprised if it puts the F-150 in its shadow in engineering also). I'm not 'happy' about this, but I won't bury my head in the sand either.

 

Another take on this subject: www.autoextremist.com/page6.shtml

Steve

 

people need to give the amaricna cars a chance again. they have made great strides to improve on them and they have.

 

The only vehicles that still have the big 3 owner loyalty are full size pickups.

 

There is no such thing as a "american" car anymore. Most of the cars that are produced by the big 3 are only assembled in america. There are more american made parts in the toyotas and nissans than in the Fords and Chevy's now-a-days. It's sad, but true. So remember when you start screaming "Give americans jobs! Boycott Toyota or Nissan!" you are in fact taking jobs away from americans. Most of the cars of those brands are made here in the states.

 

american companies need to prove they are the best again. they need to give american people a reason to go back to an american vehicle other than just for the fact that they are american. i don't think the foreign companies will be able to hold it. american companies have the home court advantage. even though they are at a disadvantage right now. 10 years down the road i think they will be over their peak and on the way back down.

 

My new F-250 was made in Kentucky USA and the folks that assembled it are making good wages. They deserve it they build a quality truck. I know parts are made out of the US but not near as bad as Dodge where the hemi AND the assembly are done in Mexico by low paid workers. The Japanese may build vehicles here but how much of the $ go back to Japan? I'm not screaming.

 

What's not to believe? G.M. has announced that it expects 2005 inputs to be down 80% from earlier predictions. Market share is declining, margins are down and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Who would have believed just five years ago that a car built in South Korea would rate highest in initial quality and sport a 100,000 mile warranty? Becoming competitive in today's market will require changes I'm not sure the industry, union and management, is willing to make. They may just ride that old hoss to death.
Dono

 

Serious question: How does buying from one global companies American branch (say Ford), keep any more money in the U.S. than buying from another (say Toyota)?

Say both have an equal % in regards to foreign manufacture/assembly. Is there some guarantee that more of the money "stays here" when buying the "American" vehicle?

Again not a rhetorical question, I really don't know.

 

I think that article is unfortunately pretty spot on.
I think things will change though.
Ford, GM and Chrysler have been around so long, and been through hard times before, they will bounce back, but the question is, how much damage will it do to the company in the mean time?

 

Yes your truck may have been ASSEMBLED in the US. Pull out that window sticker and see where the majority of the parts came from..... All the electronics came from taiwan, china, or japan. It's amazing what you'll find if you look... The amount of foreign parts on a so called domestic vehicle now a days is apalling.