Auto Makers???

[who fan]

I like cars
I been reading problems discussed with car and trucks. I own 1 99 Plymouth Voyager, and 1 93 F150.

I stopped on this forum because I think the Focus is the nicest compact car out there. The Dodge Neon or Honda civic a close second. I am sick of hearing how great Honda and Toyota are and seeing people have trouble with their American cars.
Style and looks are always better from GM Ford or Chrylser (Now German). My question why after all thease years can`t our American auto makers get past Quality issues ??
I think management is the problem with our companies. Too busy worring about the stock market and profit. The Japanese have more focus on the parts and product. Ive read that Toyota make most of the parts for their car where American companies have outside suppliers where they put squeze on them to get a lower price on production.
I see a lot of people have problems with the Focus its a shame because its a lovable car that should be loved by its drivers.
The Japanese know if they make a good product it will make them money it will give them loyalty.
Car guys should run our companies not business men. Its about time Detriot wakes up. They have the ability to put a run on foriegn automakers instead its the other way around. Toyota is going knock Ford down a peg. Chrysler is now a german company.

I`m not saying the Focus is a bad car, but I would love to see it held is such high regaurd as Honda or Toyota, along with other American makes. We can do better. Before I never considered owning a Japanese car but with some of the problems I had it looks tempting. I believe alot about Honda & Toyota is hype but theres got to be some truth to it too! They are not perfect they have problems too, but a good reputation is a good reputation. Our companies have to quit letting the consumer test the car.

[landyacht]

You need to read the post with the subject heading

"Inferiority of Ford Focus" to clarify alot of what you just said.

As far as quality goes, prior to '80s up to 90's the Jap stuff was shit and the North American cars dominated...90's to about '99 depending on the manufacturer, the Jap stuff became the better vehicles. From about '99 up all the manufacturers are basically tied as the competition is too fierce to be making crap cars anymore.

Toyota will be booting Chrysler off before Ford...Ford has more money then GM, they aren't going away. Chrylser is losing it's battle quickly, with the most inefficient trucks and a crappy car lineup, they're going straight south. Speaking of this, they're talking about removing the Chrysler lineup completely and running off Dodge and Jeep; there's no market share.

The big three are GM, Ford, and Honda right now. Chrysler is 4 and Toyota is 5, just to clarify based on the latest stats for May.


This is off topic, but i felt this info. needed to be shared.

Thanks for loving the Focus, that why the rest of us are here too.

[focusfreak]

Another tid bit of info that may be of some use is the fact that Ford has ownership of a small percent of Mazda. I believe GM owns a portion of Toyota and Chrysler/Dodge owns a portion of Mitsubishi. I don't know if Nissan is partially owned by any domestic manufacturers. If you don't believe me though, here is a sign. Check some of the computer components and other things on a '99 Eclipse. Some of the parts will have the Chrysler logo on them. Same with Mazda, they have Ford parts.

[landyacht]

Chrysler/Dodge owns a portion of Mitsubishi.

This has been so for many years, longer then Ford as had a hold on Mazda in fact! I had a 1989 Dodge Colt 200 GT...it had a Mitsubishi engine in it...i believe it was a 98hp 1.8L 4 cyl...mine was matted to a Chrysler transmission and a Mitsubishi platformed car.

The Mitsu platform is why the damn thing handled so well, and moved so well. I don't think it weight 1200lbs with a full tank of gas and me in it. For 98hp it was ballsy...the Chrysler tanny did that. Typical Chrysler though, the tranny blew up, but after 260,000k the motor was still good. I miss that car.

GM owns a portion of Toyota

Really? I didn't know that...if they do, they don't seem to be sharing anything.

^ Exp. - Ford Ranger and Mazda B series look identical in recent years.

[oi_boy]

Another tid bit of info that may be of some use is the fact that Ford has ownership of a small percent of Mazda. I believe GM owns a portion of Toyota and Chrysler/Dodge owns a portion of Mitsubishi. I don't know if Nissan is partially owned by any domestic manufacturers. If you don't believe me though, here is a sign. Check some of the computer components and other things on a '99 Eclipse. Some of the parts will have the Chrysler logo on them. Same with Mazda, they have Ford parts.

I believe Ford owns mazda completly, but i dunno about that...so dont take my word for it. And Nissan isnt owned by anyone...Nissan is Nissan. They are doing DAMN well to support themselves.

[focusfreak]

to landyacht, i didn't know if GM owns a portion of Toyota or not, that's what i heard. I believe Ford does own all of mazda now, but im not sure about that either. Nissan is doing pretty good by standing on their own two feet.

[zx2srdotnet]

yes, in japan there was a Toyota Cavalier (cavalier shiped tere and given toyota badging) so cavaliers have a jdm market

[oi_boy]

every car does. but JDM cars are from the japanese manufacturers.

[fordesigner]

Ford does not own all of Mazda, that I'm postive of. I believe it's around 1/3, but don't quote me on that. We have a joint agreement.

Ford owns Volvo, Jaguar, Aston.

Joint agreements do not always = part ownership. Ford had a joint agreement with Nissan. Remember the Mercury Villager. That was a Nissan. The vehicle ran it's course and the agreement was over, no more partnership. I'm pretty sure the Toyota/GM partnership is the same way. No real ownership of companies. They swap vehicle but not share platforms.
Mazda 3 = Focus. B series = Ranger. Tribute = Escape. Expect Volvo to be sharing platforms with Ford.
The Mazda 3 has a stiffer rear suspension and extra bracing. So while they share the platform they are not identical. Share not swap.