Big Three see share of U.S. market fall below 50 percent
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Eugene, Oregon
Originally Posted by kobiashi
This has to be one of the most inane things I've read this week. First of all, the big three are in the position they are in because from the 1970s onward the quality of their product was less than that of its foreign competitors. That is the main reason. The others being poor business decisions / bad management. As for the national loyalty thing, what planet do you live on? Since when is a company's financial well-being predicated on National Loyalty? This is a free market. Consumers are free to buy - or not buy - whichever product they want for whatever reason they want. The American consumer bought Japanese cars in droves because those manufacturers built better cars and offered better service and did so at a better price. You can wrap yourself in the flag and swear only to buy American products (if there is such a thing left) all you want but that doesn't mean anyone else is obligated to do so. The very thing that made America great, the free enterprise system, is what allows any company to succeed. The foreign automakers played the game better and the American car companies have noone to blame but themselves. THey don't get a free ride just because they are American Companies and Americans certainly are not obligated to buy for the same reason.
Wait. I take back that comment I made earlier about the above quote being the most inane thing I have read this week. THIS is the most inane thing I have read this week.
"I would bet my life that the bigt three would keep all actual vehicle production in the US on principal alone"
Would you like to kill yourself or would you prefer one of us to do it for you? Wait . . . I can't type any more . . . I'm still laughing.
. . . OK . . .
The big three, and any other company, are businesses. They will do anything to cut costs. That's the way they have done it in the past, that's the way they will do it in the future. It's a business, and they will run it in such manner.Bottom line, they don't care about you, your love of country, the American worker, or anything else except what's the profit margin and will they meet analyst's expectations, and will the share price rise. This makes me think of big corporations always telling their employees that they are one big "family". They're not your family and they'll fire you faster than you know what hit you if it helps the bottom line.
Wait. I take back that comment I made earlier about the above quote being the most inane thing I have read this week. THIS is the most inane thing I have read this week.
"I would bet my life that the bigt three would keep all actual vehicle production in the US on principal alone"
Would you like to kill yourself or would you prefer one of us to do it for you? Wait . . . I can't type any more . . . I'm still laughing.
. . . OK . . .
The big three, and any other company, are businesses. They will do anything to cut costs. That's the way they have done it in the past, that's the way they will do it in the future. It's a business, and they will run it in such manner.Bottom line, they don't care about you, your love of country, the American worker, or anything else except what's the profit margin and will they meet analyst's expectations, and will the share price rise. This makes me think of big corporations always telling their employees that they are one big "family". They're not your family and they'll fire you faster than you know what hit you if it helps the bottom line.
Damn good posting, I agree 100%. I love Ford, but how can people really expect others to buy based on loyalty to an American brand? My loyalty will always be to me and my hard earned money. Right now (IMO) the Tundra is a superior vehicle to the F150 so if I am going to buy a new truck it would be the Tundra. I've had 5 Fords so I would prefer that Ford get it together and make a truck that is superior to the Tundra so I can buy it. Until they do I will take the money I bust my *** for and purchase a better product, be it Toyota, Nissan GM or Dodge, Honda etc.
And I still think that a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry made in the USA is more American than a Fusion or Aveo made in Mexico or Korea.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Crestview, FL
its just funny to me people make such a big deal about buying "american" cars and trucks, when you know darn well that everyones furniture, appliances, electronics, clothes, toys and 60% of everything in everyones houses is from china or taiwan.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, area
2 years ago my finacee and I bought a Honda Accord to replace her car that was totaled when an F150 t-boned her in the drivers side doing about 50-60mph. I was unable to talk her into a SUV or anything larger than a 4 door mid size car. So I started the research, I really wanted to buy american but there was not a single car 2 years ago that even came close in crash test ratings as some of the foriegn auto makers. It basically came down to a Jetta, Camry, or Accord. All three of these blew the doors off of anything american made in crash ratings, and trust me after the accident she was in crash ratings were at the top on my list on must have features.(front, side, and curtain air bags)
I haven't taken a close look at the current models but on the surface it seems that GM is realy catching up with better designs, quality, and safety. I've not seen too much out of the Ford and Chrystler camps yet. We'll to see which company steps up to the plate when we buy our next vehicle.
Honestly I don't feel bad about buy a Honda simply because it's not my fault that there was not an american car at the time that compared. I spent about a month researching, looking, and driving various cars.
I haven't taken a close look at the current models but on the surface it seems that GM is realy catching up with better designs, quality, and safety. I've not seen too much out of the Ford and Chrystler camps yet. We'll to see which company steps up to the plate when we buy our next vehicle.
Honestly I don't feel bad about buy a Honda simply because it's not my fault that there was not an american car at the time that compared. I spent about a month researching, looking, and driving various cars.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 816
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, area
[QUOTE=CrAz3D]But that's unpatriotic, unAmerican. uhm, supporting foreign countries probably supports terrorism. 9/11.
By buying a foreign car you enable terrorists.
I'm not supporting terrorism by buying a Honda. I'm supporting it by owning an F150 and a Trans Am which both are gas chuggin SOB's. I need more OIL
By buying a foreign car you enable terrorists.
I'm not supporting terrorism by buying a Honda. I'm supporting it by owning an F150 and a Trans Am which both are gas chuggin SOB's. I need more OIL
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Originally Posted by CrAz3D
But that's unpatriotic, unAmerican. uhm, supporting foreign countries probably supports terrorism. 9/11.
By buying a foreign car you enable terrorists.
That's what it seems a lot of people are saying when they say "don't buy jap crap." I mean seriously, why not? Like harley dude said, 60% (I think that's a fairly conservative estimate) of the other crap in our houses is from China...why not the cars too?
By buying a foreign car you enable terrorists.
That's what it seems a lot of people are saying when they say "don't buy jap crap." I mean seriously, why not? Like harley dude said, 60% (I think that's a fairly conservative estimate) of the other crap in our houses is from China...why not the cars too?
That doesn't make it right, we need jobs over here too. Unless you think everyone wants to work for $.50 an hour to compete eye to eye with China.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 891
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
You guys crack me up with your delusions.
Some of you act like we Americans are the deciding factor weather an auto manufacturer is successful or not. This great country of ours, as great as it is... we are a very small share of the market.
If the big three made such an outstanding product affordably, then it wouldn't make a damn what we Americans bought. They'd be kicking butt in every other country around the world.
Some of you act like we Americans are the deciding factor weather an auto manufacturer is successful or not. This great country of ours, as great as it is... we are a very small share of the market.
If the big three made such an outstanding product affordably, then it wouldn't make a damn what we Americans bought. They'd be kicking butt in every other country around the world.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 49
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From: MA
Few things...
1) Auto sales are down because home sales are down??? Root cause: Finance rates!! Interest rates are up as is LIBOR and a weaker American dollar. Anyone want to venture a guess as to why??
2) Because of unions, approximately $5000 of each vehicle sold by GM is already promised to retirement and pension plans for union members. Large sum to overcome and effects the amount of quality they can invest in their vehicles while still turning a profit. Ford and Dodge have the same issues...
3) Quality of American vehicles is not the same as the foreign jobbies.... We have only 1 of the big 3 that has started increasing the duration of their warranty's to meet the standard of the foreign cars, and it's only a PERCEPTION that they will last as long. GM has to take the hit on maintenance to build CONFIDENCE in their product. We the people have created this belief.
My $0.02
We can no tafford to limit trade with other countries because we have created a huge dependence on their disposable products. They do not have superior products or quality, simply they have a lower oeprating cost than we do. Labor. You can not protect labor and expect equality from other countries who do not value human right the same way we do. We are a reactionary society, not a proactive one. 9/11, Bridge collapse, Michael Vick, etc... All of a sudden these are the most important things on our radar and we drop everything to show others how we will not let it happen again. Thus far it has cost us our economy and our dollar strength. It is not the Big 3 who are at fault, it is us.
1) Auto sales are down because home sales are down??? Root cause: Finance rates!! Interest rates are up as is LIBOR and a weaker American dollar. Anyone want to venture a guess as to why??
2) Because of unions, approximately $5000 of each vehicle sold by GM is already promised to retirement and pension plans for union members. Large sum to overcome and effects the amount of quality they can invest in their vehicles while still turning a profit. Ford and Dodge have the same issues...
3) Quality of American vehicles is not the same as the foreign jobbies.... We have only 1 of the big 3 that has started increasing the duration of their warranty's to meet the standard of the foreign cars, and it's only a PERCEPTION that they will last as long. GM has to take the hit on maintenance to build CONFIDENCE in their product. We the people have created this belief.
My $0.02
We can no tafford to limit trade with other countries because we have created a huge dependence on their disposable products. They do not have superior products or quality, simply they have a lower oeprating cost than we do. Labor. You can not protect labor and expect equality from other countries who do not value human right the same way we do. We are a reactionary society, not a proactive one. 9/11, Bridge collapse, Michael Vick, etc... All of a sudden these are the most important things on our radar and we drop everything to show others how we will not let it happen again. Thus far it has cost us our economy and our dollar strength. It is not the Big 3 who are at fault, it is us.
Certified Goat Breeder
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 19
From: the moral high ground
CrAz3D,
I see you used the Highlight to indicate sarcasm/humor however, you ended it with this guy =
The Highlight should stand on it's own merit shouldn't it?
I think this guy actually weakens the Highlight rather than supports it.
I see you used the Highlight to indicate sarcasm/humor however, you ended it with this guy =
The Highlight should stand on it's own merit shouldn't it?
I think this guy
actually weakens the Highlight rather than supports it.
Certified Goat Breeder
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,182
Likes: 19
From: the moral high ground
Originally Posted by CrAz3D
...Also, didnt typing highlight 9 times bug you just now?
I am a Cut-N-Paste Master.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Originally Posted by Raoul
No. Typed it once, Hit Ctrl-c once and hit Ctrl-v 8 times.
I am a Cut-N-Paste Master.
I am a Cut-N-Paste Master.