:boxing: Profit vs. Quality.
What amazes me is many of the 'foreign' cars that are all rated so high are actually assembled here in the good old USA by American workers. So it seems to boil down to either engineering, assembly pride & training or corporate profits.
As an example, Benz quality drop through the floor when Chrysler got involved it seems. Consumer magazines still seem to gives them many black dots.
That leads me to believe the American engineering or parts quality are slacking off to meet profit. And that decision is made upstairs in corporate offices. Oh I am sure their is some of that Monday and Friday human error, but that would show up on some but not become the normal. Like the need to slam things shut or water in the transmission. Some process needs improvement.
To Saturn's
credit ... they have addressed and corrected these problems quickly it seems from reading this forum.
But if other American workers can pump out pride quality auto's .... that should be possible with all domestic made products. And personally, I think that the majority of American assembled
whatevers are.
But German, Japanese and how Korean engineers and profit managers have worked together slightly closer to make items that their assembly people can put together solidly. Consumers rush to buy for a reason and cost is NOT the only factor in the long run.
Dealing with dealer showroom employers varies like the weather from owner to manager in local stores. Again we are back to training and short or long term customer loyality (profit).
I think Saturn started out fresh and with high goals but over the years profit decisions altered goals and here we once again have an opportunity to jump into the race and shine.
Remember ... crap in ... crap out ... and profits fall until the company is gone. Consumers should
not expect first year products of any kind to be crap. If American workers can assemble forgein labeled products that are pushed out the door the first year that are solidly engineered ... well boys and girls ... I for one expect to purchase this Saturn SKY Red Line with pride that it was engineered and assemblyed here in this country by us Americans! AND that it is a
solidly engineered vehicle that can and will complete on the open market with any car in its class. I expect this first year American produced vehicle to be better than, or at least as good as, any country could engineer in this class roadster.
The cost of this Red Line with options
is over $30,000 and that, or slightly more, can buy many nice vehicles being advertised. I choose Saturn's first year SKY Red Line with confidence and expect to be impressed with it as I am with my current Lexus. (cost is not that far a part).
Personnally, I want a dependable vehicle I can buy and never visit the repair shop but for routine things like oil changes. I have 212,000 miles on my current vehicle with no major items but normal brakes and such.
I appreciated the safety instant speed gives with getting on freeways, that is why I am in line for a Red Line.
Speed and 0 to 60 times has its limited value. One can get a speeding ticket in a Yogo ... maybe. :jester:
But solidly built and dependable are two other expected items at this price we consumers wanted and should expect no matter if it is a first or last year produced George Foreman grill or Saturn SKY. :thumbs: What a country

I can :rant: and tell it like it should be and live to see tomorrow.

atriot: