Help yourself and America
blabonte
09-08-2005, 10:37 PM
In these times where low-wage Wal-Mart has now replaced high-wage
General Motors as the number one employer in the U.S., most Americans get a pass for not having the time to dig deeply enough to understand what is really going on since a large portion of America is working longer hours for lower wages and is just trying to put in enough time at work to make ends meet. It may seem that your car-buying decision would have no effect on your personal prosperity or that of your country, but it does.
It really does matter if you buy an American-made Chevrolet instead of an American-made Toyota. When you buy an American-made Chevy, you not only support more American workers, but also American investors, owners and stockholders. When you buy an American-made Toyota, you may help your Uncle Bob if hes on Toyotas payroll, but youre hurting Uncle Sam since American companies pay about three times as many taxes to the U.S. Treasury compared to foreign-owned companies. Thats something to think about the next time you hear we have to cut benefits or raise the retirement age simply because the U.S. Treasury doesnt have enough funds to meet its obligations to Social Security or other benefit programs.
General Motors doesnt have enough money to meet its obligations either.
And its for the very honorable reason that they have promised adequate
health care and pensions to their workers who gave their lives to a company that has in turn supported so many American livelihoods for so long. If we stop buying GM products, we de-fund American retirees and prevent them from contributing to the American economy. Sure, you have a choice in buying a foreign car over an American one, but if you buy the foreign car, you will likely cause a retiree to make a choice between food and medicine. That very choice is a daily one for many senior citizens in this country right now.
Think its not possible? Think again. The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (PBGC) has already taken over several pensions from failed
American companies in the steel and airline industries and beyond. When
these companies declare bankruptcy and a failure to meet their obligations, this government-funded agency - which is also running in the red takes over and gives seniors roughly half of what they were promised by the now bankrupt company.
This results in a hidden cost to taxpayers since any shortfall in
government revenue must be made up eventually in higher taxes or benefit
cuts or both. So there you have it. Failure to find a GM (or other
American) automobile you can stand will negatively affect your standard of
living in one way or another. And you thought that since you didnt work in
the car industry it didnt affect you. Think again.
The Detroit News recently published the facts, daring to go against the
deceiving "foreign cars are built there and American cars are built there"
rhetoric that implies it makes no difference if you buy an American-made
Honda instead of an American-made Pontiac. The newspaper reported that American and foreign automakers alike were playing the "Made in USA Card" to attract buyers. And you thought consumers didnt care. Poll after poll has shown Americans are even willing to pay more to buy American, let alone when quality and price are similar or equal. Most Americans advocate fair play and equality but eventually they will find out - possibly the hard way that either of these attributes apply in the automobile marketplace unless those Americans that should know better start buying American cars again.
Im not asking or expecting the die-hard import buyer crowd to stop their
silly griping and buy American. GMs future doesnt depend on them. It
depends on those Americans that really should know better.
As the Detroit News article boldly pointed out, GM has 82 major plants in the United States, while Toyota, Honda and Nissan combined have only 24. GM has more American salaried workers than Toyota has total American workers. With 194,000 employees in America, even after hard times, General Motors still employs six times as many Americans as Toyota, seven times as many as Honda, and 12 times as many as Nissan. As Business Week pointed out in 2002 (the last data I have seen on the subject), each auto-assembly job created by an American company also creates 6.9 other American jobs, where each auto-assembly job created by a foreign company creates only 5.5 other American jobs. This is true simply because American automobile companies get more of their parts from America.
And what about those foreign transplant factories? A 1995 United Auto
Workers study concluded that these foreign automobile companies operating in the United States caused at least 500,000 Americans to lose their jobs
.
I would hate to think of what that total is today.
The new May 9, 2005 issue of Business Week details how GM contributes to the pockets of their assembly workers to the tune of $8.7 billion a year and either directly or indirectly supports the employment of 900,000 Americans. Business Week also claims it is "undeniable" that what is bad for GM is bad for America, pointing to a 54-day strike in 1998 that cut that quarters economic growth for the entire country a whole percentage point.
Many point to bad management decisions in the past to justify their
reasoning for not supporting GM, claiming it is it "widely known" that they
made horrible cars in the 1970s. Its amazing people who werent even
driving age in the 1970s (this author wasnt) want to penalize GM for
mismanagement as they overlook any mismanagement by other car companies they anxiously spend their money with instead. I have never heard anyone vehemently refuse to buy a Nissan since they almost went bankrupt in the late 1990s. Nor do I hear people planning to penalize Japanese car makers for the (widely known) junk they imported in the 1960s.
In 1999, the Wall Street Journal reported Nissan lost millions of dollars
in five of the last six years. Nissans debt stood between $22 billion and
$30 billion, which dwarfed that of any other auto maker. The Wall Street Journal, which is no huge supporter of GM, claimed Nissan would be bankrupt if it happened to be American company.
General Motors spent $5.2 billion on health care for their workers and
retirees in 2004. The 2005 figure will be higher. The figure for Toyota,
for instance, is certainly less since they didnt build their first
American factory until 1987. The Georgetown, KY factory, which assembles the Toyota Camry, was built with Japanese steel by a Japanese steel company. Toyota was given 1,500 of free land. To attract this Japanese company to America, we even established a "special trade zone" so they could import parts duty-free from Japan. Financing was handled by Mitsui Bank of Japan. Total federal, state and local tax incentives (read giveaways) reached $100 million - courtesy of your tax dollars and mine.
These are some of the hidden costs few think about when selecting their
next car. Before the first Toyota in American was ever assembled, the
American steel industry, parts industry and finance industry took it on the chin. American tax obligations were also raised to boot. Todays Camry has a 55% domestic parts content, which is down from 75% just a few years earlier. American alternatives like the Chevy Impala has a 98% domestic parts content and the aging Ford Taurus, which used to be the number one selling car in America before the Camry took the top spot, has a 95% domestic parts content.
In the end, it doesnt matter how you slice it. General Motors pays more
taxes, employs more workers, has more domestic plants, supports more
families, retirees and their dependents, and has higher overall domestic
parts content than the foreign competition - hands down. American quality
is on the rise. Efficiency has increased. GM kept America rolling by
donating millions of dollars in cash and vehicles in the aftermath of
September 11, 2001. Where was the foreign competition in Americas time of need? They were busy reaping in record profits and sending them home to reward foreign owners at the expense of an American company that built the foundation of prosperity that America as a whole enjoys.
Profits are the lifeblood of any successful company or economy. General
Motors makes only a few hundred dollars of profit per vehicle compared to over a thousand dollars for their foreign rivals because GM supports such a wide and diverse number of Americans. Theyve shown their loyalty to America by extending 0% financing for several years, and through their history theyve done more good for America than any foreign car company ever dreamed of doing. Its time for America to show their loyalty to an American company whose own increased prosperity will result in greater American prosperity as well.
So if you want General Motors to get more aggressive and on the offensive in terms of marketing, bolder car designs, etc., stop spewing your venom at them, which makes them constantly play defense instead. Its unfair, unwarranted, and unproductive. GM wants to keep America rolling - as we all should - so lets let it and make it happen.
General Motors as the number one employer in the U.S., most Americans get a pass for not having the time to dig deeply enough to understand what is really going on since a large portion of America is working longer hours for lower wages and is just trying to put in enough time at work to make ends meet. It may seem that your car-buying decision would have no effect on your personal prosperity or that of your country, but it does.
It really does matter if you buy an American-made Chevrolet instead of an American-made Toyota. When you buy an American-made Chevy, you not only support more American workers, but also American investors, owners and stockholders. When you buy an American-made Toyota, you may help your Uncle Bob if hes on Toyotas payroll, but youre hurting Uncle Sam since American companies pay about three times as many taxes to the U.S. Treasury compared to foreign-owned companies. Thats something to think about the next time you hear we have to cut benefits or raise the retirement age simply because the U.S. Treasury doesnt have enough funds to meet its obligations to Social Security or other benefit programs.
General Motors doesnt have enough money to meet its obligations either.
And its for the very honorable reason that they have promised adequate
health care and pensions to their workers who gave their lives to a company that has in turn supported so many American livelihoods for so long. If we stop buying GM products, we de-fund American retirees and prevent them from contributing to the American economy. Sure, you have a choice in buying a foreign car over an American one, but if you buy the foreign car, you will likely cause a retiree to make a choice between food and medicine. That very choice is a daily one for many senior citizens in this country right now.
Think its not possible? Think again. The Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation (PBGC) has already taken over several pensions from failed
American companies in the steel and airline industries and beyond. When
these companies declare bankruptcy and a failure to meet their obligations, this government-funded agency - which is also running in the red takes over and gives seniors roughly half of what they were promised by the now bankrupt company.
This results in a hidden cost to taxpayers since any shortfall in
government revenue must be made up eventually in higher taxes or benefit
cuts or both. So there you have it. Failure to find a GM (or other
American) automobile you can stand will negatively affect your standard of
living in one way or another. And you thought that since you didnt work in
the car industry it didnt affect you. Think again.
The Detroit News recently published the facts, daring to go against the
deceiving "foreign cars are built there and American cars are built there"
rhetoric that implies it makes no difference if you buy an American-made
Honda instead of an American-made Pontiac. The newspaper reported that American and foreign automakers alike were playing the "Made in USA Card" to attract buyers. And you thought consumers didnt care. Poll after poll has shown Americans are even willing to pay more to buy American, let alone when quality and price are similar or equal. Most Americans advocate fair play and equality but eventually they will find out - possibly the hard way that either of these attributes apply in the automobile marketplace unless those Americans that should know better start buying American cars again.
Im not asking or expecting the die-hard import buyer crowd to stop their
silly griping and buy American. GMs future doesnt depend on them. It
depends on those Americans that really should know better.
As the Detroit News article boldly pointed out, GM has 82 major plants in the United States, while Toyota, Honda and Nissan combined have only 24. GM has more American salaried workers than Toyota has total American workers. With 194,000 employees in America, even after hard times, General Motors still employs six times as many Americans as Toyota, seven times as many as Honda, and 12 times as many as Nissan. As Business Week pointed out in 2002 (the last data I have seen on the subject), each auto-assembly job created by an American company also creates 6.9 other American jobs, where each auto-assembly job created by a foreign company creates only 5.5 other American jobs. This is true simply because American automobile companies get more of their parts from America.
And what about those foreign transplant factories? A 1995 United Auto
Workers study concluded that these foreign automobile companies operating in the United States caused at least 500,000 Americans to lose their jobs
.
I would hate to think of what that total is today.
The new May 9, 2005 issue of Business Week details how GM contributes to the pockets of their assembly workers to the tune of $8.7 billion a year and either directly or indirectly supports the employment of 900,000 Americans. Business Week also claims it is "undeniable" that what is bad for GM is bad for America, pointing to a 54-day strike in 1998 that cut that quarters economic growth for the entire country a whole percentage point.
Many point to bad management decisions in the past to justify their
reasoning for not supporting GM, claiming it is it "widely known" that they
made horrible cars in the 1970s. Its amazing people who werent even
driving age in the 1970s (this author wasnt) want to penalize GM for
mismanagement as they overlook any mismanagement by other car companies they anxiously spend their money with instead. I have never heard anyone vehemently refuse to buy a Nissan since they almost went bankrupt in the late 1990s. Nor do I hear people planning to penalize Japanese car makers for the (widely known) junk they imported in the 1960s.
In 1999, the Wall Street Journal reported Nissan lost millions of dollars
in five of the last six years. Nissans debt stood between $22 billion and
$30 billion, which dwarfed that of any other auto maker. The Wall Street Journal, which is no huge supporter of GM, claimed Nissan would be bankrupt if it happened to be American company.
General Motors spent $5.2 billion on health care for their workers and
retirees in 2004. The 2005 figure will be higher. The figure for Toyota,
for instance, is certainly less since they didnt build their first
American factory until 1987. The Georgetown, KY factory, which assembles the Toyota Camry, was built with Japanese steel by a Japanese steel company. Toyota was given 1,500 of free land. To attract this Japanese company to America, we even established a "special trade zone" so they could import parts duty-free from Japan. Financing was handled by Mitsui Bank of Japan. Total federal, state and local tax incentives (read giveaways) reached $100 million - courtesy of your tax dollars and mine.
These are some of the hidden costs few think about when selecting their
next car. Before the first Toyota in American was ever assembled, the
American steel industry, parts industry and finance industry took it on the chin. American tax obligations were also raised to boot. Todays Camry has a 55% domestic parts content, which is down from 75% just a few years earlier. American alternatives like the Chevy Impala has a 98% domestic parts content and the aging Ford Taurus, which used to be the number one selling car in America before the Camry took the top spot, has a 95% domestic parts content.
In the end, it doesnt matter how you slice it. General Motors pays more
taxes, employs more workers, has more domestic plants, supports more
families, retirees and their dependents, and has higher overall domestic
parts content than the foreign competition - hands down. American quality
is on the rise. Efficiency has increased. GM kept America rolling by
donating millions of dollars in cash and vehicles in the aftermath of
September 11, 2001. Where was the foreign competition in Americas time of need? They were busy reaping in record profits and sending them home to reward foreign owners at the expense of an American company that built the foundation of prosperity that America as a whole enjoys.
Profits are the lifeblood of any successful company or economy. General
Motors makes only a few hundred dollars of profit per vehicle compared to over a thousand dollars for their foreign rivals because GM supports such a wide and diverse number of Americans. Theyve shown their loyalty to America by extending 0% financing for several years, and through their history theyve done more good for America than any foreign car company ever dreamed of doing. Its time for America to show their loyalty to an American company whose own increased prosperity will result in greater American prosperity as well.
So if you want General Motors to get more aggressive and on the offensive in terms of marketing, bolder car designs, etc., stop spewing your venom at them, which makes them constantly play defense instead. Its unfair, unwarranted, and unproductive. GM wants to keep America rolling - as we all should - so lets let it and make it happen.
Jaguar D-Type
09-14-2005, 05:39 AM
GM decided, back in March, to put off rwd plans
but they have revived plans for rwd cars.
GM reverses course, says revised version of Zeta rear-drive architecture is back on track
Automotive News
9/12/05
DETROIT - Six months after General Motors halted plans to use its Zeta rear-wheel-drive car architecture in North America, the company has revived the program.
In an interview with Automotive News last week, Jim Queen, GM's vice president of global engineering, said a revised version of Zeta is back on track.
Engineered at GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia, Zeta was expected to be the basis of the next-generation Pontiac Grand Prix and GTO; the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo and a new version of the Camaro; and other vehicles. Vehicles in the program were expected to debut as early as 2006.
Queen did not discuss vehicles on the new version of Zeta or timing. Some vehicles that could be in the Zeta program include the next-generation Pontiac GTO as well as a Chevrolet coupe and sedans. They could debut by the 2009 or 2010 model year, say one company source and one industry analyst.
Queen said initial plans for Zeta stretched the architecture beyond its limits for some North American vehicles. "We needed to reassess and reconfigure the program," he said.
"As we started counting who was in and who was out of Zeta, we realized too late" that Zeta would not work in North America, Queen said.
Part of GM's reasoning in slowing Zeta's development was to focus on pulling forward its full-sized SUVs and pickups. GM's next-generation SUVs will debut early next year.
At the time, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wrote on GM's FastLane blog that GM had "canceled & plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture."
"But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether," Lutz wrote. "We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner."
The revised Zeta program is being developed in GM's Australian engineering center. The vehicle line executive on the program is Gene Stefanyshyn, the former vehicle line executive for GM's Epsilon, or mid-sized cars, in North America.
A GM spokesman said no product plans have been approved and that GM still is studying design themes, performance characteristics and variants for Zeta vehicles.
GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.
(end of article)
GM is having a tough time now, but they will have to pay Fiat two billion dollars. Fiat, an Italian car company that owns Maserati, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo, isn't doing so well right now (the whole company).
March 1, 2005
wardsauto.com
The price of a corporate divorce can be steep, as General Motors Corp. now can attest.
GM agreed last month to pay $2 billion to its ailing Italian alliance partner, Fiat Auto SpA, to nullify a pesky clause in their original pact that would have forced GM to purchase by 2010 the 90% stake in Fiat Auto it did not already own.
The clause and the entire pact now is dead. After months of saber rattling, GM will pay Fiat a direct cash payment of $1.3 billion immediately.
The remaining $700 million will be delivered as the two auto makers finalize the process of shutting down joint ventures formed in the original pact, signed in March 2000, when GM paid $2.4 billion for a 20% stake in Fiat Auto.
GM also will return its 10% equity holding in Fiat Auto, which will be transferred to corporate parent Fiat SpA.
Along with the cash payment, GM and Fiat agree to dissolve their GM-Fiat Powertrain JV, which was one of the few bright spots in the alliance. The joint venture gave GM access to Fiat's small diesel engine technology, which it desperately needed for the European market, while Fiat gained access to improved gasoline engine technology.
Each auto maker will regain control of the assets each contributed to the powertrain JV, while engines will be supplied to both auto makers without interruption.
Separately, the Italian auto maker says it will transfer full ownership of Maserati SpA under Fiat Auto as soon as practicable.
The announcement was followed by a series of management changes, including the ouster of Fait Auto CEO Herbert Demel, who was replaced by Fiat SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne, who negotiated the settlement with GM.
The newly installed chief also gave walking papers to Maserati CEO Martin Leach and moved Ferrari SpA chief designer Frank Stephenson to run the Fiat, Lancia and commercial vehicle styling center.
(end of article)
Here are some new GM cars
check the link
New rwd Pontiac Solstice (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=377526)
http://photos.velocityjournal.com/images/full/2005/131/pn2006solstice1315914.jpg
Saturn Sky and Aura (the aura is a concept but shows what the production model will be like)
2007 Saturn Sky (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=379645)
2005 Saturn Aura concept (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=419645)
new Chevy Cobalt
new cobalt (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=406056)
The Cobalt SS has won 3 races in Grand-Am Cup.
new Cobalt SS in racing (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=419044)
http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/3161-4-2.jpg
http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/3161-4-3.jpg
I really like the new Corvette and 2006 Corvette Z06
New aluminum Corvette Z06 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=420611)
http://www.chevrolet.com/i/06/pic/corvette/photogallery/popup_ext_gallery01.jpg
GM needs to use more of its 4.2 liter DOHC 275 hp I-6.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/images/vortec_4200_i6.jpg
Cadillac has made a break-though in recent years. The STS used to be fwd, but it is now rwd with optional awd (not available on the 469 hp STS-V).
http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/3042-29-1.jpg
http://www.netcarshow.com/wallpaper/Cadillac/2006-XLR_Star_Black_Limited_Edition/l/03.jpg
but they have revived plans for rwd cars.
GM reverses course, says revised version of Zeta rear-drive architecture is back on track
Automotive News
9/12/05
DETROIT - Six months after General Motors halted plans to use its Zeta rear-wheel-drive car architecture in North America, the company has revived the program.
In an interview with Automotive News last week, Jim Queen, GM's vice president of global engineering, said a revised version of Zeta is back on track.
Engineered at GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia, Zeta was expected to be the basis of the next-generation Pontiac Grand Prix and GTO; the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo and a new version of the Camaro; and other vehicles. Vehicles in the program were expected to debut as early as 2006.
Queen did not discuss vehicles on the new version of Zeta or timing. Some vehicles that could be in the Zeta program include the next-generation Pontiac GTO as well as a Chevrolet coupe and sedans. They could debut by the 2009 or 2010 model year, say one company source and one industry analyst.
Queen said initial plans for Zeta stretched the architecture beyond its limits for some North American vehicles. "We needed to reassess and reconfigure the program," he said.
"As we started counting who was in and who was out of Zeta, we realized too late" that Zeta would not work in North America, Queen said.
Part of GM's reasoning in slowing Zeta's development was to focus on pulling forward its full-sized SUVs and pickups. GM's next-generation SUVs will debut early next year.
At the time, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wrote on GM's FastLane blog that GM had "canceled & plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture."
"But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether," Lutz wrote. "We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner."
The revised Zeta program is being developed in GM's Australian engineering center. The vehicle line executive on the program is Gene Stefanyshyn, the former vehicle line executive for GM's Epsilon, or mid-sized cars, in North America.
A GM spokesman said no product plans have been approved and that GM still is studying design themes, performance characteristics and variants for Zeta vehicles.
GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems.
(end of article)
GM is having a tough time now, but they will have to pay Fiat two billion dollars. Fiat, an Italian car company that owns Maserati, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo, isn't doing so well right now (the whole company).
March 1, 2005
wardsauto.com
The price of a corporate divorce can be steep, as General Motors Corp. now can attest.
GM agreed last month to pay $2 billion to its ailing Italian alliance partner, Fiat Auto SpA, to nullify a pesky clause in their original pact that would have forced GM to purchase by 2010 the 90% stake in Fiat Auto it did not already own.
The clause and the entire pact now is dead. After months of saber rattling, GM will pay Fiat a direct cash payment of $1.3 billion immediately.
The remaining $700 million will be delivered as the two auto makers finalize the process of shutting down joint ventures formed in the original pact, signed in March 2000, when GM paid $2.4 billion for a 20% stake in Fiat Auto.
GM also will return its 10% equity holding in Fiat Auto, which will be transferred to corporate parent Fiat SpA.
Along with the cash payment, GM and Fiat agree to dissolve their GM-Fiat Powertrain JV, which was one of the few bright spots in the alliance. The joint venture gave GM access to Fiat's small diesel engine technology, which it desperately needed for the European market, while Fiat gained access to improved gasoline engine technology.
Each auto maker will regain control of the assets each contributed to the powertrain JV, while engines will be supplied to both auto makers without interruption.
Separately, the Italian auto maker says it will transfer full ownership of Maserati SpA under Fiat Auto as soon as practicable.
The announcement was followed by a series of management changes, including the ouster of Fait Auto CEO Herbert Demel, who was replaced by Fiat SpA CEO Sergio Marchionne, who negotiated the settlement with GM.
The newly installed chief also gave walking papers to Maserati CEO Martin Leach and moved Ferrari SpA chief designer Frank Stephenson to run the Fiat, Lancia and commercial vehicle styling center.
(end of article)
Here are some new GM cars
check the link
New rwd Pontiac Solstice (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=377526)
http://photos.velocityjournal.com/images/full/2005/131/pn2006solstice1315914.jpg
Saturn Sky and Aura (the aura is a concept but shows what the production model will be like)
2007 Saturn Sky (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=379645)
2005 Saturn Aura concept (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=419645)
new Chevy Cobalt
new cobalt (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=406056)
The Cobalt SS has won 3 races in Grand-Am Cup.
new Cobalt SS in racing (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=419044)
http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/3161-4-2.jpg
http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/3161-4-3.jpg
I really like the new Corvette and 2006 Corvette Z06
New aluminum Corvette Z06 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=420611)
http://www.chevrolet.com/i/06/pic/corvette/photogallery/popup_ext_gallery01.jpg
GM needs to use more of its 4.2 liter DOHC 275 hp I-6.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/images/vortec_4200_i6.jpg
Cadillac has made a break-though in recent years. The STS used to be fwd, but it is now rwd with optional awd (not available on the 469 hp STS-V).
http://www.theraceforum.com/images/forum/3042-29-1.jpg
http://www.netcarshow.com/wallpaper/Cadillac/2006-XLR_Star_Black_Limited_Edition/l/03.jpg
cp1
10-26-2005, 04:27 PM
IMO competition is just that: competition.
How can a company expect to sell a produt based on nationality first and foremost as GM and Ford are doing? This is not a good business strategy whatsoever. Toyota is staged to rip the title of worlds largest auto manufacturer right from GMs hands as soon as 2006, and i can guarantee it didnt get there by pleading to the american consumer and threatening them with lost jobs and more taxes if they didnt buy from them. it quite simply listened to the market. Toyota is the leading developer of alternative fuel and hybrid autos. while the former "big 3" were led to believe they could dictate market demand with SUV's, Bigger Trucks, unappealing cars, all while hoping joe taxpayer forgot about the 80's.
Toyota did not get to be as big as she is by sleeping at the wheel. I drive a toyota by choice as almost every other toyota driver does too. it is not the responsibility of the consumer to keep a company in business it is the responsibility of the company to react to market changes and to turn a profit and Toyota didnt sneak up on anyone. The risk of having an outdated business model is being left behind and out of business.
So dont feel it is anyones responsibility to buy american. it is your american company's responsibility to be innovative and competitive to ensure its own survival.
How can a company expect to sell a produt based on nationality first and foremost as GM and Ford are doing? This is not a good business strategy whatsoever. Toyota is staged to rip the title of worlds largest auto manufacturer right from GMs hands as soon as 2006, and i can guarantee it didnt get there by pleading to the american consumer and threatening them with lost jobs and more taxes if they didnt buy from them. it quite simply listened to the market. Toyota is the leading developer of alternative fuel and hybrid autos. while the former "big 3" were led to believe they could dictate market demand with SUV's, Bigger Trucks, unappealing cars, all while hoping joe taxpayer forgot about the 80's.
Toyota did not get to be as big as she is by sleeping at the wheel. I drive a toyota by choice as almost every other toyota driver does too. it is not the responsibility of the consumer to keep a company in business it is the responsibility of the company to react to market changes and to turn a profit and Toyota didnt sneak up on anyone. The risk of having an outdated business model is being left behind and out of business.
So dont feel it is anyones responsibility to buy american. it is your american company's responsibility to be innovative and competitive to ensure its own survival.
04BlackVitz
10-26-2005, 04:35 PM
Couldn't have said it better myself, cp1.
Brian R.
10-27-2005, 11:01 AM
I wonder if your opinions would still be the same if it were Canadian jobs that were being lost, and it was the Canadian economy that was being affected.
cp1
10-27-2005, 03:15 PM
I wonder if your opinions would still be the same if it were Canadian jobs that were being lost, and it was the Canadian economy that was being affected.
Yes. They would. whether the company is canadian or not.
Everybody purchases based on a want or a need, a company that cant seem to sell a product to me is not adressing my wants or needs. and a company in this rut therefore should start to figure this out, not blame me or you Joe consumer for having a certain taste that does not benefit them.
You dont go in to business to lose money. And a solid business needs to be able to adapt in order to survive... If they are not fulfilling peoples needs or wants they inherently are going to lose money.
This doesnt just apply to the automotive business this applies to everything. If you opened a restaurant that served only squid and only 1% of the local population wanted squid would you be in business for long? not unless you could convince the other 99% of people they really want squid when they dont. This is what i see the american car companies focusing on; is trying to convince people they want something that they dont... of course there are exceptions to this because GM and ford and Chrysler do have popular models, however the masses arent usually wrong and therefore people even in your country are choosing to buy a japanese car.
These company's are doing the US a disfavor by not meeting market demand and thus risking job losses to cut costs and raise their bottem lines, as well as carelessly risking the investments of stockholders.
If GM or ford were a canadian company i would be more pissed off at them for losing ground to the japanese car companys due to negligence in command. Even the #1 automaker has to leave the throne once in awhile to see whats going on or risk losing it, and that is precisely what has happened.
for more info about your failing american auto producers check this site out.
www.leftlanenews.com
Yes. They would. whether the company is canadian or not.
Everybody purchases based on a want or a need, a company that cant seem to sell a product to me is not adressing my wants or needs. and a company in this rut therefore should start to figure this out, not blame me or you Joe consumer for having a certain taste that does not benefit them.
You dont go in to business to lose money. And a solid business needs to be able to adapt in order to survive... If they are not fulfilling peoples needs or wants they inherently are going to lose money.
This doesnt just apply to the automotive business this applies to everything. If you opened a restaurant that served only squid and only 1% of the local population wanted squid would you be in business for long? not unless you could convince the other 99% of people they really want squid when they dont. This is what i see the american car companies focusing on; is trying to convince people they want something that they dont... of course there are exceptions to this because GM and ford and Chrysler do have popular models, however the masses arent usually wrong and therefore people even in your country are choosing to buy a japanese car.
These company's are doing the US a disfavor by not meeting market demand and thus risking job losses to cut costs and raise their bottem lines, as well as carelessly risking the investments of stockholders.
If GM or ford were a canadian company i would be more pissed off at them for losing ground to the japanese car companys due to negligence in command. Even the #1 automaker has to leave the throne once in awhile to see whats going on or risk losing it, and that is precisely what has happened.
for more info about your failing american auto producers check this site out.
www.leftlanenews.com
Brian R.
10-27-2005, 05:20 PM
"for more info about your failing american auto producers check this site out."
They are not mine.
They are not mine.
cp1
10-27-2005, 08:39 PM
im sorry that was poorly worded and probably sounded a little bit harsh, that is just a general site for all news pertaining to the auto industry.
Brian R.
10-27-2005, 10:27 PM
No big deal.. :)
Jaguar D-Type
10-28-2005, 02:27 AM
Dodge and Chrylser need to revise more of their cars, but the new 300 and Magnum have created a lot of interest and sales. Most Americans don't like station wagons, but the Magnum changes people's views, at first, due to its hot-rod styling.
New 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=378659)
300C SRT8 shown below
http://automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/sedans/0502_chrysler_300c_srt8_05_1024.jpg
check the link for the 2005 Dodge Magnum SRT8
2005 Dodge Magnum SRT8 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=378656)
Magnum RT shown below
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/9292004155017.jpg
New 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT8 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=378659)
300C SRT8 shown below
http://automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/sedans/0502_chrysler_300c_srt8_05_1024.jpg
check the link for the 2005 Dodge Magnum SRT8
2005 Dodge Magnum SRT8 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=378656)
Magnum RT shown below
http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/image/9292004155017.jpg
blabonte
11-15-2005, 01:57 PM
cp1 writes : How can a company expect to sell a product based on nationality first and foremost as GM and Ford are doing?
Where do you get this from ? The post I made was my opinion it wasn't coming from GM or Ford.
Only one car company took home eight awards for initial quality and eight awards for long term dependability from J.D. Power and Associates in 2005 -GM, In the all important North/South America plant quality awards, GM took home the top three honors.
GM also has 15 models that get over 30 mpg.
Where do you get this from ? The post I made was my opinion it wasn't coming from GM or Ford.
Only one car company took home eight awards for initial quality and eight awards for long term dependability from J.D. Power and Associates in 2005 -GM, In the all important North/South America plant quality awards, GM took home the top three honors.
GM also has 15 models that get over 30 mpg.
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