So SAD..Americans DON'T CARE

[marlboromike]

I was reading the NY Daily News the other day and the question asked to 8 people were "Do You Care that Toyota beat GM in Car Sales"? The answer... Nobody cared if they bought an American car any longer.

I know Toyota and Honda are made in America...but they r not American companies and they do produce a better quality car but the question asked, "Do You Care"?....not ONE Cared!

I am too old!

[SKYtime]

I already read that the top spot may not be so coveted after all. At the same time that Toyota took over the top spot, there are issues about its quality performance. That's right, Toyoto's quality is alleged to have slipped substantially and quality issues are becoming more and more prevalent. Go figure.

[Rick Tinley Park]

Remember - Toyota now recalls as many cars as they build... Since they are the leader they lead in many catagories that they DON'T want to.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

I was reading the NY Daily News the other day and the question asked to 8 people were "Do You Care that Toyota beat GM in Car Sales"? The answer... Nobody cared if they bought an American car any longer.

I know Toyota and Honda are made in America...but they r not American companies and they do produce a better quality car but the question asked, "Do You Care"?....not ONE Cared!

I am too old!

Mike, the whole problem is the NY Daily News asked New Yorkers a question...You know that gave out another answer than what the News wanted to hear just because they are from NY. come on forgettabotit...Skip..This is new yark ya knows....

[CrymeLord]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

I was reading the NY Daily News the other day and the question asked to 8 people were "Do You Care that Toyota beat GM in Car Sales"? The answer... Nobody cared if they bought an American car any longer.

I know Toyota and Honda are made in America...but they r not American companies and they do produce a better quality car but the question asked, "Do You Care"?....not ONE Cared!

I care. I want the US companies to best the Japanese companies, but in the end, I'm going to buy the car I think is best. I won't subsidize companies that make inferior products.

I bought the Sky because I really wanted one and because I don't have any fear of lower quality.

I have had problems with the Sky. But it is a first year car, and I'm not sure what to expect in terms of quality.

[Rick Tinley Park]

I have had less problems with the SKY than I had with my first (and last) Honda. I have driven both Honda and Toyota and to me -- they are junk...
I can not understand what is cheap in the SKY interior compared to the lousy quality - tacky interiors of Japanese cars. Once again if you compare simular models of cars - you can easily see that they are no big deal when put side by side.
Take a Toyota Camry and put it next to an Aura.... Sorry - import loses.

[Siouxsie]

<shrug> Maybe it's just me, but I don't care where the company is headquartered. I'll buy a BMW if they have the car I want. I pay for what I want, not for nationality.

[Robotech]

Originally Posted by Siouxsie

<shrug> Maybe it's just me, but I don't care where the company is headquartered. I'll buy a BMW if they have the car I want. I pay for what I want, not for nationality.

That's kind of the point though. There was a time not so long ago where American car companies produced vehicles that Americans wanted to buy. Think to the '57 Chevy Bel Airs or Nomads, the 64 1/4 Ford Mustangs, '56 T-birds, 69 GTOs, Hemi 'Cudas and Chargers, or the 77 Firebird. Those cars, even with some people today, really are a piece of what America was all about. They were flashy, artwork on wheels, and big power (for the time). They were more than just basic transportation. Back then, the car was more than just another appliance.

Today show me a car that is a piece of America. Mustang? Too tame. The Kappas? Part of their allure is their "European Styling". Firebird? Dead. GTO? Bland and now dead. T-bird? One of the few failed throwbacks. Maybe a PT cruiser but it is only a shadow of what the others were even in their day.

No, today's American driver is about having a people mobile. Bland is fine so long as it runs. Cars are no longer rolling pieces of art except to a select few. One reason I loved my Sky so much was the attitude of our drivers. To most of us, the Kappas aren't just another appliance...they're not the next microwave, the next TV, or the next computer. They are so much more. Maybe their styling isn't Americana but the people who drove them were. No, today people want a Camery, an Accord, or a Maxima. They want plain. They want common. They want basic. Maybe they'll get all the bells and whistles but style...style died with leaded gasoline it seems.

Are there exceptions? Yes. The Mopar cars like the Magnum, Charger, and 300C are definately closer to the older American cars though their interiors scream European. I'd say the Solstice too is more of an American throwback whereas the Sky is, again, more European and modern.

Where American car companies went wrong is they tried to compete with the Japanese at their own game. What they didn't realize is that had they been able to keep a pulse on the American car buying public and come out with more fuel efficient vehicles that were reliable and dependable but maintain that very much American identity they would have never lost the market. Unfortunately they were too slow to change to the new needs of their customers and improve in their quality control so that by the time they did turn around these aspects of their business Americans had changed from wanting rolling icons of their own personalities to accepting sub-par styled cars that were reliable and efficient.

[Texas Red Line]

Originally Posted by marlboromike

I was reading the NY Daily News the other day and the question asked to 8 people were "Do You Care that Toyota beat GM in Car Sales"? The answer... Nobody cared if they bought an American car any longer.

I know Toyota and Honda are made in America...but they r not American companies and they do produce a better quality car but the question asked, "Do You Care"?....not ONE Cared!

I am too old!

Isn't this what the Globalist want? After all we are all one world.

[turbopro]

Originally Posted by Robotech

That's kind of the point though. There was a time not so long ago where American car companies produced vehicles that Americans wanted to buy. Think to the '57 Chevy Bel Airs or Nomads, the 64 1/4 Ford Mustangs, '56 T-birds, 69 GTOs, Hemi 'Cudas and Chargers, or the 77 Firebird. Those cars, even with some people today, really are a piece of what America was all about. They were flashy, artwork on wheels, and big power (for the time). They were more than just basic transportation. Back then, the car was more than just another appliance.

Today show me a car that is a piece of America. Mustang? Too tame. The Kappas? Part of their allure is their "European Styling". Firebird? Dead. GTO? Bland and now dead. T-bird? One of the few failed throwbacks. Maybe a PT cruiser but it is only a shadow of what the others were even in their day.

No, today's American driver is about having a people mobile. Bland is fine so long as it runs. Cars are no longer rolling pieces of art except to a select few. One reason I loved my Sky so much was the attitude of our drivers. To most of us, the Kappas aren't just another appliance...they're not the next microwave, the next TV, or the next computer. They are so much more. Maybe their styling isn't Americana but the people who drove them were. No, today people want a Camery, an Accord, or a Maxima. They want plain. They want common. They want basic. Maybe they'll get all the bells and whistles but style...style died with leaded gasoline it seems.

Are there exceptions? Yes. The Mopar cars like the Magnum, Charger, and 300C are definately closer to the older American cars though their interiors scream European. I'd say the Solstice too is more of an American throwback whereas the Sky is, again, more European and modern.

Where American car companies went wrong is they tried to compete with the Japanese at their own game. What they didn't realize is that had they been able to keep a pulse on the American car buying public and come out with more fuel efficient vehicles that were reliable and dependable but maintain that very much American identity they would have never lost the market. Unfortunately they were too slow to change to the new needs of their customers and improve in their quality control so that by the time they did turn around these aspects of their business Americans had changed from wanting rolling icons of their own personalities to accepting sub-par styled cars that were reliable and efficient.

I agree 100%

Something a wiseman told me that I will never forget.

He told me about chevy and ford trucks, and now many cars...are in majority built in Mexico. Most Toyota's honda's Nissan's are built in America. He told me that he would rather put his dollars in alot of american hands, and in the hand of one Japanese ceo by buying a Nissan truck, than putting the money in the hands of alot of Mexicans(it could be Canadian or Polish or whatever, not dissing the Mexicans.....Great food!), and An American CEO at Ford or chevy.

[Siouxsie]

Originally Posted by Robotech

That's kind of the point though. There was a time not so long ago where American car companies produced vehicles that Americans wanted to buy. Think to the '57 Chevy Bel Airs or Nomads, the 64 1/4 Ford Mustangs, '56 T-birds, 69 GTOs, Hemi 'Cudas and Chargers, or the 77 Firebird. Those cars, even with some people today, really are a piece of what America was all about. They were flashy, artwork on wheels, and big power (for the time). They were more than just basic transportation. Back then, the car was more than just another appliance.

Today show me a car that is a piece of America. Mustang? Too tame. The Kappas? Part of their allure is their "European Styling". Firebird? Dead. GTO? Bland and now dead. T-bird? One of the few failed throwbacks. Maybe a PT cruiser but it is only a shadow of what the others were even in their day.

No, today's American driver is about having a people mobile. Bland is fine so long as it runs. Cars are no longer rolling pieces of art except to a select few. One reason I loved my Sky so much was the attitude of our drivers. To most of us, the Kappas aren't just another appliance...they're not the next microwave, the next TV, or the next computer. They are so much more. Maybe their styling isn't Americana but the people who drove them were. No, today people want a Camery, an Accord, or a Maxima. They want plain. They want common. They want basic. Maybe they'll get all the bells and whistles but style...style died with leaded gasoline it seems.

Are there exceptions? Yes. The Mopar cars like the Magnum, Charger, and 300C are definately closer to the older American cars though their interiors scream European. I'd say the Solstice too is more of an American throwback whereas the Sky is, again, more European and modern.

Where American car companies went wrong is they tried to compete with the Japanese at their own game. What they didn't realize is that had they been able to keep a pulse on the American car buying public and come out with more fuel efficient vehicles that were reliable and dependable but maintain that very much American identity they would have never lost the market. Unfortunately they were too slow to change to the new needs of their customers and improve in their quality control so that by the time they did turn around these aspects of their business Americans had changed from wanting rolling icons of their own personalities to accepting sub-par styled cars that were reliable and efficient.

Maybe I'm different, but I don't understand what it matters whether the company manufacturing your car is German, American, Japanese, or Elbonian. Don't get me wrong, I want manufacturers to make nice cars, cars that I like, but I don't care which of them it is.

If you're worried about trade deficit, remember that it doesn't take services into account, and America is becoming more and more service oriented. If you're worried about American pride, I don't know what to tell you.

[JohnD]

The media has done a good job painting American companies as "EVIL!"

My grandfather was very proud of the fact that he worked for Henry Ford, who he considered to be an American Hero. American Companies were something to be proud of. We did a better job, and for less money, than anybody else in the world.

Now the stories are that Japan does it better, China does it for less, and American companies are nothing but corrupt and nothing but masses of greed. Think about stories you have seen on the news about American companies (setting aside the "enviro-green puff-piece BS stories that are out there.) Any story that talks about American companies is likely to slam them.

Wal*Mart. Exxon/Mobil. General Motors. Haliburton.

You name it.

American Company = Evil.

[Alchris]

Originally Posted by Siouxsie

If you're worried about trade deficit, remember that it doesn't take services into account, and America is becoming more and more service oriented. If you're worried about American pride, I don't know what to tell you.

Unfortunately everday more and more jobs go overseas. Try calling a 1-800 number and I defy you to be able to speak to someone who speaks with an American tounge. Many American banks now send there call center calls to INDIA. Globilization is hurting us daily. Clinton said when NAFTA was created it would bring third world country personal income closer in line with ours and other countries. It's not happening, as a matter of fact many American manufacturers use low wage structures in third world countries as leverage for their employees to accept lower wage compensation based on the FACT that we just can't compete with third world country wages. Where will it stop...

[Siouxsie]

Originally Posted by Alchris

Unfortunately everday more and more jobs go overseas. Try calling a 1-800 number and I defy you to be able to speak to someone who speaks with an American tounge. Many American banks now send there call center calls to INDIA. Globilization is hurting us daily. Clinton said when NAFTA was created it would bring third world country personal income closer in line with ours and other countries. It's not happening, as a matter of fact many American manufacturers use low wage structures in third world countries as leverage for their employees to accept lower wage compensation based on the FACT that we just can't compete with third world country wages. Where will it stop...

Unemployemnt has not increased significantly with all this overseas outsourcing. It is not much of a relevant factor. The pay for my field hasn't decreased, quite the opposite, and I'm in a field that is heavily outsourced.

America became too accustomed to being the only world power, not only militarily but economically as well. When the EU was created we created NAFTA to keep ourselves as the biggest kid on the block. Just because we're dealing with more international competition doesn't mean that the end is near. The 80s Japan-bashing should have demonstrated that.

If a company fails to make a good product, that company deserves to lose business. I will not subsidize anyone. GM has made many mistakes in its recent past, but the introduction of a vehicle I enjoy is not one of them. I hope this shows a future trend, but if it doesn't, so be it. There will be another company who makes something I do want. I'm fine with that.

[grs88v8]

I CARE, I will NEVER buy a ricer. I have always bought GM cars, I wouldn't even look at a Japanese car. I don't trust them, one of the companies (I don't remember who; Honda, Toyota or Nissian) was caught cheating on crash tests by double spot welding the frames for crash tests back in the 90's. American people are brainwashed by the liberal media that anything America does is substandard and wrong. GM builds the best cars, always have and always will. I have no fit and finish problems with our SKY R/L and I don't think the interior is cheap either. As i continue to inspect this car, I only find a well built and well planned car. The opinion of NYC hardly matters to about 90% of the rest of America anyway. Gary

[turbopro]

I hardly think it's the liberal media

[Robotech]

Maybe I'm different, but I don't understand what it matters whether the company manufacturing your car is German, American, Japanese, or Elbonian. Don't get me wrong, I want manufacturers to make nice cars, cars that I like, but I don't care which of them it is.

If you're worried about trade deficit, remember that it doesn't take services into account, and America is becoming more and more service oriented. If you're worried about American pride, I don't know what to tell you.

In one way, you're making my point but in a different way.

But to me, I do take pride in things made here in the United States. I do have a certain sense of national pride. Call it silly, call it old fashioned, but that's just me. On an ecconomic sense, I want the money I earn here to go back into our ecconomy so that it stays strong. In the global ecconomy we currently live in that becomes more and more difficult. Is that the only factor when it comes to me buying a car? No, but it is a factor.

Add to that the fact that most foriegn cars do nothing for me. I can list the cars I got excited about very easily. First was a VW Bug...my first car...and a foriegn car. Yet it is a foriegn car that out here on the west coast is very much Americana. Then there was the 87-88 Turbocoupe T-birds. It was a NASCAR thing that extended into the Supercoups of the 90s. Then in 96 I saw a pre-production car at the LA Autoshow that floored me...the Grand Prix. This is why I drive a 97 GP now. I still love this car. The only other car that has got my motor running so to speak was the Sky. Now, we're not talking dream cars here but even there mine are cars like the Z06 or GTS Viper. There is just something very much American about those cars and I like things that are very much American to me. That's just me.

But to buy a car based solely on where the company who makes it is located would be foolish at best. Buy what you like.

I hardly think it's the liberal media

You're right, it's not. It's the Spanish Inquisition...nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition...

"HEY, Takamata! Whaddaya say!?" (Sorry...tangent...)

[Siouxsie]

First Robotech, I love your name only partly because I own the entire Macross series on DVD. Second, I understand a sense of national pride, but I don't build the cars, design them, or have any input into how they're made other than purchasing or ignoring them. I have a hard time taking pride in something that I have no input in. It makes it easy for me to distance myself from it, kinda like how I don't blame myself for greenhouse gas emmissions.

I suppose I'm just a very self-centered GenXer. I believe in a global economy, and I take great pride in seeing a good car made by anyone. I like strides forward in technology no matter where they come from. I'm still waiting for immortality, but for now I'll take a nice roadster instead.

Oh yeah, and here's my possible next car, not to replace my Sky of course. It's American-based FYI.