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24HourForums.com > Supported Forums > Shimmy's Things On Wheels > How can the US auto industry regain lost ground? |
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shirohniichan Original500© Member  Obscurius per obscurum
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The Big Three have made significant steps toward building cars people will buy, but so far they haven't made up lost ground. What else can they do? Here is my list: 1) Continue working on fuel economy (not necessarily mimicking current hybrid technology, but possibly even going the extra mile to come up with something better). 2) Keep working on attractive designs (semi-retro is working somewhat so far). 3) Keep investing in R&D. Platform and parts sharing is fine to cut costs, but continue developing better platforms and technologies to share between models. Making better looking bodies to fit atop old, tired platforms won't work. 4) Keep pushing quality and reliability. Poor fit and finish, cheap plastics, and other problems we've come to expect from domestic makers is penny wise but pound foolish. 5) Don't underestimate Americans' love of torque and horsepower. I direct this comment especially to Ford. The Freestyle, 500, Edge and other fairly recent models were all criticized in the automotive press for being short on power. Perhaps the Ford execs thought most consumers wouldn't care, but those consumers are turning to the imports that do offer more power. 6) Modernize dealer service. We've come to expect unpleasant and irritating experiences with dealers' service departments, but it doesn't have to be this way. Learn from high line import makers and see how you can adopt their better practices to your own service drives.
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AuldFartte Original500© Member  Make the Scary Palin Go Away!!
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Outstanding ideas  Fuel economy is a must, but it needs to be balanced with power as you point out. Semi-Retro definitely works for me. I love the look of several newer models, especially from Chrysler (I'll probably be purchasing a new 300 this year). Your ideas about platforms and parts-sharing is right on. The best thing they can do, IMHO, is your number 6. I will NOT be using a dealership to buy the 300 because of the goddamned high-pressure salespeople at most dealerships. My credit union has a car buyers' program, so I'll just order one through them, and to hell with the dealership and their salespeople. I must admit though, that if Toyota made something that looked just like the Chrysler 300, I'd buy it faster than you could blink
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librtyhead Original500© Member 
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It's a sneaky tactic Americans do when the need arises to produce quality stuff, that outshines other nations, and eclipses even the sun. ............. 
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Cars Original500© Member  Love Living Large
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AuldFartte wrote: Outstanding ideas Wondering: If no dealership is involved, where will you bring your new car in for scheduled maintinance? And or even more important, for the little nuisance new car things that need adjusting/fixing? Local dealerships may not be too cordial to a customer who didn't buy their new car from them. Also, jump at buying a Toyota, Chrysler has a 7yr,70,000 mile warranty. While Toyota only gives a 5yr- 60,000 mile warranty. Kinda seems like one could believe that Chrysler is more confident in their cars than Toyota is.
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CARLA Original500© Member  Aloha San Diego is Paradise.!!
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 Boy isn't that the truth I love the looks of the 300 hot car.AuldFartte wrote:
 Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up worn out screaming what a ride.. |
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AuldFartte Original500© Member Make the Scary Palin Go Away!!
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Cars wrote: AuldFartte wrote:I've used the same mechanic for 23 years now to do all work on my cars, new or old. I won't let the dealerships touch a vehicle of mine for this reason: I had three new cars in 8 years, took them to the dealerships for regular m aintenance, and ended up having more problems mysteriously appear within about two weeks of each and every regular maintenance stop. These were things that were NOT covered by warranty, so I had to pay. I finally caught on: the dealers' service departments were doing this crap on purpose to generate more income. I was not the only one this happened to. It was a big deal when it hit the media around here. The same dealerships are still here, under new names (they change names frequently, many times without an ownership change). I trust my mechanic. He's never taken advantage of me or any of my family.Outstanding ideas As to the Toyota vs. Chrysler question, yes, Chrysler has a longer warranty, and I believe you can purchase extended coverage up to 100,000 miles or 10 years. It does appear that Chrysler has more confidence. That's a big plus, however I have had three Toyotas (one Camry, two 4Runners) and ALL have gone well over 100,000 miles with NO significant issues. The first 4Runner only had to have three taillight bulbs replaced in 8 years, other than normal maintenance. The second 4Runner has given me no problems, nothing has needed to be replaced other than regular stuff (tires once, battery once, and regular oil and filters, etc.). My daughter got in a wreck with the Camry, so it needed a couple of front suspension parts replaced. That's it. But I still LOVE the looks of the new Chrysler products 
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AuldFartte Original500© Member Make the Scary Palin Go Away!!
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CARLA wrote: It makes me drool every time I see one !!!
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Luvdawgs Pioneer100© Member 
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AuldFartte wrote: Cars wrote:AuldFartte wrote:I've used the same mechanic for 23 years now to do all work on my cars, new or old. I won't let the dealerships touch a vehicle of mine for this reason: I had three new cars in 8 years, took them to the dealerships for regular m aintenance, and ended up having more problems mysteriously appear within about two weeks of each and every regular maintenance stop. These were things that were NOT covered by warranty, so I had to pay. I finally caught on: the dealers' service departments were doing this crap on purpose to generate more income. I was not the only one this happened to. It was a big deal when it hit the media around here. The same dealerships are still here, under new names (they change names frequently, many times without an ownership change). I trust my mechanic. He's never taken advantage of me or any of my family.Outstanding ideas A couple of months ago I took my car to the Hyundai dealer to repair something minor. They told me that the transmission fluid was dirty and needed to be changed. I told them I wanted to wait and took my car to another private car repair place who is authorized by Hyundai to work on Hyundais. The guy at the private shop dipped his finger in the transmission fluid and pulled it out and showed me the oil. It was perfectly clear, with no dirt at all in it. Needless to say, I am using the private shop now for all my Hyundai repair needs. They even let me purchase oil, etc. myself to save a few dollars when they are doing the factory recommended maintenance.
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HARGIS Original500© Member 
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How about a #7? #7. Get rid of the stranglehold of the UAW on American manufacturers. I worked in a Whirlpool refrigerator factory and I know first hand how a union can kill the productivity of a factory by promoting a workforce that thinks they deserve more than what they get. Last edited on 05:37 am by HARGIS |
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shirohniichan Original500© Member Obscurius per obscurum
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HARGIS wrote: How about a #7? Yea, verily. On the one hand we have top execs who want huge bonuses even when their companies are losing money, and on the other you have unions wanting wage increases even if that means closing down plants. Neither helps the company make better products to improve their fiscal standing, and such improvement is the only thing that actually will help them in the long run.
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24HourForums.com > Supported Forums > Shimmy's Things On Wheels > How can the US auto industry regain lost ground? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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