Comments on: Detroit Discovers Fuel Economy?

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:44:08 +0000

"Bill Ford started talking the talk years ago, but his company kept on building gas-guzzling SUVs—profitable at $1.50 a gallon gasoline, not so profitable at $3.00 a gallon gasoline. If Ford had walked Ford’s talk, would Ford need a new way forward? "

That's the problem in a nutshell. They talk the talk while Toyota and Honda walk the walk.

Bought a Honda minivan and didn't even consider one from the Big 3. Now looking to replace a sedan and yet again, there is nothing out of Detroit that impresses me, let alone having decent gas mileage. Looks like the 2007 Camry Hybrid it is.

It doesn't help with the UAW holding them hostage either - at least now with seveal thousand layoffs they're getting the hint.

Sorry to say, but we NEED one of the Big 3 to go under to shake things up.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:43:24 +0000

People love to bust on the US car companies. But, a lot of Toyota's growth in the US market came from introducing the Tundra. Nissan has the Armada. And subcompacts are routinely introduced to the US market, but are pulled soon after due to a lack of demand.

I think the problems with the US companies are, yes, some structural problems due to pensions, health care costs, etc. But, I think by far their biggest problem is the length of time it takes for them to introduce new vehicles to the US market. GM regularly introduces new cars that are a hit. Look at the HHR, the new Tahoe, etc. But, those products will fade, and need refreshed.

The Japanese companies are like the US companies in that they will sell whatever we will buy. I think the place to fix this system is to work on consumer demand. People still want to buy big trucks and big SUVs. Demand is softening, but it's a few percentage points, not a tidal wave. As long as people want these vehicles, someone will build them.

By: gman5541

gman5541 — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:42:47 +0000

Whatever. When Ford & GM start losing enough of their shirts, they will start to get in line soon enough. Until then, make mine and yours Toyota & Nissan.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:42:11 +0000

The difference between the American and Japanese automakers is time horizon. The Japanese take a very long view when deciding strategy. The Americans look only to the next few quarters. As a result, Toyota gives us hybrid cars and hybird SUVs while the Big Three gives us Instant Cash Back and 0% Financing.

If you go to Hybridcars.com, click on cars,
carmakers, and then toyota, you will see an eye opening history of Toyota's long path to developing hybrid technology. Toyota began it's journey way back in 1992. Year of the Earth Summit.

At a time when the American automakers and there protectors in the Congress and White House (Bush I) were crusading againsts scientists who were warning us about Global Warming, Toyota set itself on a path to be profitable in a future world of high gas prices.

It seems to me that the Japanese automakers see the facts behind Global Warming for what they are: facts. It's unfortunate that in America, the Conservative Political Culture and impotent media have created a "debate" about whether or not Global Warming is really gonna happen. When it has already (perhaps irreversibly) begun.

That's too bad for the American Auto Industry, America, and the Earth.

By: Guest

Guest — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 18:41:31 +0000

I believe that people want a "decent" sized vehicle
and hope that it can get reasonable fuel mileage.
Which it should-=- anti-pollution or not, especially with all the advances made in the last 60 years.
Instead , somehow it is detuned to guzzle the gas..