Just saw on CNN, Toyota #1 by 2007

[skittleslegend]

I just saw on CNN Toyota will be the number one vehicle manufacturer by the end of 2006. I'm not at all surprised. I thought, however, it would've been coming later on. Like by 2010. GM's decline is heavy. It's so bad, last fiscal year, they didn't even estimate gains, they estimated losses. I'd say, that's pretty bad.

What was interesting is that they were defending GM and American automakers, saying basically, Japanese manufacturers are "taking over in America".

George Bush said he nor his people's would help out GM. For some reason, I think that's b.s. I'm thinking he'll help em out, just act as a private investor or something.

[Optimus Prime]

Well, the Governement probably won't help them out because Honda and Toyota are producing so many of their vehicles in the US, that as they increase their market share, it benefits America.

[skittleslegend]

True...vs. GM closing factories here and opening new ones, or sending work to Mexico. It's kinda funny actually. American cars aren't built in America. Some aren't even designed in America. A few are designed in Japan.

[civicboy]

What kind of interesting to say the least is GM has much better quality vehicle in the Middle East than what they do here in America. Alot of those vehicle they offer in the Middle East aren't even offered here in America. Maybe GM will wake up someday, but its already too late!

[skittleslegend]

Big 2.5's European cars look soooooo much better than the ones they offer here. They should offer them globally, instead of the stuff they pass off as muscle cars (exception being the beautifully crafted new Mustang). That Dodge Charger looks wretched from the front. It looks like a bulldog, with it's nose all smashed in. The rear looks ok, but they only sell it because they advertise everything with a Hemi. :rolleyes:

[Compaq888]

Did anybody see the new camry?? 6 speed 268hp camry. I'm pretty sure it's 6 speed auto, not manual.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Compaq888

Did anybody see the new camry?? 6 speed 268hp camry. I'm pretty sure it's 6 speed auto, not manual.

I think I kinda like the way it looks. Less bland than the current generation with mature curves.

[jandree22]

Even if domestics quality was flawless and jap quality went to shit, it'd still take a decade before the public would shift their trust. It's just such a common perception that Jap = Quality that nothing detroit pumps out, reguardless of quality, value or innovation will ever be able to overcome it.

The law of averages... as long as domestics merely match and aren't superior in quality, japs will always be on top.

It does concern me as my dad's a service manager at a Chevy dealership... just worry of the day when GM starts consolidating sales and closing dealerships... His dealership has strong sales for our area, but you never know the way they've been hurting lately.

I just wonder how many Jap factories you have to open in USA and close in Japan before Toyota and Honda become Domestics.

[letsgoflyers81]

Originally Posted by skittleslegend

I just saw on CNN Toyota will be the number one vehicle manufacturer by the end of 2006. I'm not at all surprised. I thought, however, it would've been coming later on. Like by 2010. GM's decline is heavy. It's so bad, last fiscal year, they didn't even estimate gains, they estimated losses. I'd say, that's pretty bad.

What was interesting is that they were defending GM and American automakers, saying basically, Japanese manufacturers are "taking over in America".

George Bush said he nor his people's would help out GM. For some reason, I think that's b.s. I'm thinking he'll help em out, just act as a private investor or something.

That's an understatement. GM lost 4.6 billion dollars in 2005. Yes, billion with a B.

[jaywo]

Yeah alot people are saying support domestics and etc... But look Honda, Toyota, Nissan are all building new plants in North America, while Gm and the others are closing ones. So now we gonna start calling toyota and hondas domestics?

The funny thing was a long time ago imports were always the reliable one, but ugly as heck, and the domestics were the nice looking cars lacking quality and were way cheaper. Now the imports by far look the best, have the best quality, and aren't even more expensive. So its no wonder GM is in trouble...

Can u serious compare a domestic to import any more?
And whats with GM's styling... all there new cars look so Bland.... i can't tell if its a monte carlo, a impala, or a malibu.... its all the same Blandmobiles.

[jandree22]

The Ford Fusion is the right idea. The first domestic that has caught my eyes in years. Not that I'd buy one still, but, it's a step in the ride direction IMO.

[Optimus Prime]

Originally Posted by jandree22

The Ford Fusion is the right idea. The first domestic that has caught my eyes in years. Not that I'd buy one still, but, it's a step in the ride direction IMO.

I agree, in fact I think Ford should bring more European stuff over here. European Fords are like from a different car company. I used to have a Merkur XR4ti and if they sold a modern version of that car today, it would be a hit. Imagine a big hatchback, with RWD (or 4WD if they brought over the Cosworth), rally suspension, and only 2800lbs, but in a safe car with nice leather Recaros? All for around $25,000?

By the way, the Fusion is a great looking car, but you should see the new Ford Mondeo (imagine this with a turbo 6 from Cosworth and 4wd):





And the Focus RS is hot, turbo inline 5 too:

[CameronJr9]

That focus isn't bad. I don't like the antenna so much.

[oncogene]

It's hard to bring the European Ford over to N.America tho... The Europeans are all about small efficient car and good gas mileage and their gas is expensive. In N.American, esp in US, average ppl don't really care about gas price (yes they do whine when price goes up, but they still buy a big SUV anyway), and Ford has made this "Build Ford Tough", "bigger is better" image, which isn't helping either.

[Optimus Prime]

Originally Posted by oncogene

It's hard to bring the European Ford over to N.America tho... The Europeans are all about small efficient car and good gas mileage and their gas is expensive. In N.American, esp in US, average ppl don't really care about gas price (yes they do whine when price goes up, but they still buy a big SUV anyway), and Ford has made this "Build Ford Tough", "bigger is better" image, which isn't helping either.

Both of those European Ford's shown have bigger engines and more power than their US counterparts. The European Focus has a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbo motor, how is that efficient?

[CameronJr9]

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime

Both of those European Ford's shown have bigger engines and more power than their US counterparts. The European Focus has a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbo motor, how is that efficient?

Plus the SUV craze is quickly being squished. Another reason Ford is hurting. They built all these damn SUVs and put all their money in R&D and now that they have them, there's no demand.

[jandree22]

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Plus the SUV craze is quickly being squished. Another reason Ford is hurting. They built all these damn SUVs and put all their money in R&D and now that they have them, there's no demand.

I heard them say on the news that Ford's completely withdrawing from the minivan market. W was very shocked to hear that, not that it's a bad idea... just shocked to hear it.

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by letsgoflyers81

That's an understatement. GM lost 4.6 billion dollars in 2005. Yes, billion with a B.

I was trying to be nice about it...lol...

[imported_06civic]

Originally Posted by Compaq888

Did anybody see the new camry?? 6 speed 268hp camry. I'm pretty sure it's 6 speed auto, not manual.

yes it's U!gly...

[skittleslegend]

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime

Both of those European Ford's shown have bigger engines and more power than their US counterparts. The European Focus has a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder turbo motor, how is that efficient?

I've argued for awhile that if they brought the Euro Focus and some of its other Euro designs to the US, it'd be a great start to re-building GM's image. Part of the problem is, GM America tries to do Euro and it doesn't work. GM's president even said so, stating that the Ford Five Hundred was the turning point. He said the Germans do better Euro designs then GM so GM was going to go more "American" (whatever that looks like). But if GM went global with its designs, even within different markets, like Japan, America and Australia, its Euro stuff could be exciting and refreshing.

And get rid of all the different the multiple chassis vehicles (Mercury Milan/Ford Fusion/Lincoln Zephyr on top of the Mazda 6) as well as their overcrowded Minivan line and vehicle look a-likes (why do we need a Chevy HHR if it's not really that different from a PT Cruiser and the PT Cruiser has been proven to be the better choice of vehicle?). In fact, get rid of all the brands that haven't been selling well for years and/or decades and consolidate those efforts and time and money into R&D, new product designs, new technology, etc. for its strongest brands (despite it being called the "Big 3", a domestic is a domestic). Chevy, Dodge, Ford, and Buick are the strongest domestic brands, IMHO...they don't need all the other crap. Honda has Acura, Toyota has Lexus, Volkswagen has Audi, Nissan has Infinity, Hyundai has Kia etc. (Hyundai is doing wonders for both companies) and these companies are consistently showing, quality is better than quantitiy. GM should stop stretching itself out and trim its own fat. That in my honest .02 would help them tremendously in the next 10 years.