Article Comments Kiss the American Auto Industry Good-Bye (as We Know It)

420 messages, Last post on Oct 16, 2007 at 3:43 AM

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Article comments for Kiss the American Auto Industry Good-Bye (as We Know It) - Take a snapshot for posterity, because today's U.S. automotive landscape won't look like it does for much longer. (more)

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#411 of 420 Re: Japan vs US autos pay scale [cptchetco] by mediapusher Jun 07, 2007 (6:45 pm)
Replying to: cptchetco (Apr 25, 2007 5:09 pm) Uhhh, excuse me, but if I was making $30.00 an hour, I could live like Paris Hilton, so I dont know what there is to complain about with that kind of wage.
#412 of 420 Re: Another Kiss [rockylee] by mediapusher Jun 07, 2007 (6:49 pm)
Replying to: rockylee (Apr 24, 2007 8:47 pm) Sorry Rocky, I have to agree with the poster that claimed Americans have shown they will pay for good quality. You trying to compare an IPOD with the other CHEAPER brands shows how ignorant you are, especially since you claim they'll do everything the IPOD will do, when they won't. The IPOD has user friendly functionality, thorough funcionality, infrastructure, and great appearance like no other MP3 player out there.
#413 of 420 Re: GM vs. Toyota More Kisses Goodbye [circlew] by mediapusher Jun 07, 2007 (6:55 pm)
Replying to: circlew (Jun 03, 2007 10:02 am) circlew- Great eloquence with what you wrote...Sadly enough you'll never get these GM loyalists to agree with what you are saying.. GM loyalists talk of supporting AMericans by buying GM products, even though GM builds and distributes cars in almost every major country in the world including one of their biggest and growing markets -- CHINA
#414 of 420 Toyota surpassed GM as top carmaker in 2006 by circlew Jun 12, 2007 (9:21 am)
The time has past! The milestone that the global auto industry has been holding its collective breath for -- Toyota Motor Corp.'s unseating General Motors Corp. as the world's biggest car maker -- came last year instead of in 2007 as many had expected, according to a leading industry journal. Now it's time for T to put the pedal to the metal and blow away all 3 U.S. manufacturers combined. That, IMHO, is the next milestone!!! By the way, did you hear the lastest on F?? FORD MOTOR CO might be ready to end its European tour. The car maker is said to be looking to sell its premium Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover brands, just months after unloading the prestigious Aston Martin nameplate. Selling the remaining members of its Premier Automotive Group, which has its North American headquarters in Irvine, California, would end Ford's 20-year effort to expand its sales of luxury cars by buying European car makers. *That's a victory for all 4 marqees!* Regards, OW
#415 of 420 The Last Kiss...Coming Soon! by circlew Jun 14, 2007 (6:34 am)
It's almost over... U.S. automakers pay their factory workers an average of about $73 per hour in wages and benefits, compared to just $44 per hour for the three major Japanese car makers operating plants in North America, according to industry data. In the past, the Detroit automakers have agreed to costly labor contracts, but this time the car makers are united in believing they have no choice but to close the cost gap. One industry executive said the companies were resolved to move jobs overseas, changing the "footprint" of production, if they could not reduce their U.S. labor costs. What a shame! Regards, OW
#416 of 420 Re: GM dealers fight back [mediapusher] by beemerhead Jun 18, 2007 (8:57 pm)
Replying to: mediapusher (May 31, 2007 10:03 pm) I agree that the problem crosses age boundaries, and as an American, I'm pissed. I used to buy only American. Now, I buy primarily BMW but anything but American. I was looking for a cheap used car for my youngest son and after long research (Edmunds, Consumer Reports, etc.) I decided it was safest to stay away from used American cars. Back in December I started looking for convertibles, mainly hardtops and I drove Mustang Premium and Deluxe editions (solid rear axle!!!), crap finish, performance and roof, Pontiac G6, a good car only if you've driven junk, Sebring hardtop, not yet available, soft top is stupid on engines, etc. I ended up with two Mini's which will hold value, are fun to drive and have more engineering than the more expensive American "sports/sporty" cars. The mileage vs. horsepower is heavily in favor of European and Japanese cars. Look at Edmunds top ten gas efficient cars. Not a single American entry! I have to do an analysis of the American car companies for an economics presentation in a month and my bottom line is that American companies are run by finance and marketing people with short term focus. Japanese companies are passionate about quality, Germans about performance, and Korean about low price with good reliability. That leaves Americans with nothing. I've met bunches of BMW people and they LOVE cars, driving, and engineering. It shows in their products. I find it astounding that the country with the most cars and strongest car culture cannot make leading world class cars that outlast or outperform anyone. Thank you American unions and management! Replies to this message: circlew (Jun 19, 2007 12:33 pm)
#417 of 420 Re: GM dealers fight back [beemerhead] by circlew Jun 19, 2007 (12:33 pm)
Replying to: beemerhead (Jun 18, 2007 8:57 pm) I mirror your comments exactly! I only purchased U.S. up until 2006 and went with BMW because of the performance and build quality and the FACT that nothing in the U.S. is appealing anymore to me. What a cryin' shame! Regards, OW
#418 of 420 GM makes a profit....but not around here! by circlew Jul 31, 2007 (4:11 am)
DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. reported a second-quarter profit of $891 million on Tuesday, a huge reversal from the $3.4 billion loss it posted in the same period last year. It was the third straight quarterly profit for the nation's largest automaker, which cited improved sales, especially in growing markets worldwide. ADVERTISEMENT The profit amounted to $1.56 per share for the April-June period in contrast to a loss of $5.98 per share in the year-ago period. "Our heavy commitment to key growth markets around the world really paid off in strong growth and earnings," Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner said in a statement. The automaker, though, continued to lose money in its home market, North America, where it reported a net loss from continuing operations of $39 million. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The profit came despite $520 million in charges associated with the bankruptcy reorganization of Delphi Corp., GM's former parts arm, and other restructuring costs for GM's North American unit. GM said its adjusted net income, excluding the special items, was $1.4 billion, or $2.48 per share. Fifteen analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted earnings of $1.13 per share, excluding special items. We are just smarter than the rest of the world! Regards, OW
#419 of 420 Name Confusion by circlew Oct 16, 2007 (3:43 am)
Although the Taurus name is still recognized by 80% of consumers, Ford managed to sell just 3,562 Taurus models during the month of September. In comparison, Ford sold 6,054 Five Hundred during the same month last year. July 2005 was the sedans best ever month, moving 13,555 units. Ford sold 1,551 Sables during the month of September, also off the pace from a year earlier. Ford officials blame the sales downturn on the slumping large sedan market. “No question, there is a general downsizing in all categories,” said George Pipas, Ford’s top analyst for U.S. sales. “Buyers who used to trade large for large are now trading large for a smaller vehicle. People who traded an Explorer for an Explorer are more likely to come down. One of things we’re finding in the small-car segment is it is not just an entry point but is becoming a destination for the downsizing that occurs in vehicles and other categories.” The Taurus X has also experienced underwhelming sales. During September 2007, Ford sold 2,517 examples, down from 3,801 a year before. Sagging sales of for the Taurus X are especially worrisome because crossover sales have been steadily on the rise. In contrast, Ford's other CUVs — such as the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX — have seen a tremendous sales growth over the last few months. Poor sales of the Taurus X could also spell trouble for the upcoming Flex CUV, which has the same wagon-style body as the Taurus X. Ironically, name confusion is also a major hurdle for Ford's new trio of cars. A recent study revealed that Ford salespeople still call the vehicles by their former names.