……My point is that it takes a while to build loyalty and, once lost, it will take a long time to restore it.
I don’t argue that quality is now fairly level amongst American and Japanese brands, however, the perception that Japanese cars are superior is still fairly strong.
Moreover, until Detroit is able to negotiate more reasonable labor rates, GM and Chrysler will both still be playing from behind.
It is especially telling that Obama chose to screw the corporate bondholders of Chrysler, but was absolutely unwilling to take on the unions and the CBA……
I’m rooting for GM and was very heartened by how quickly they exited BK…..
IMHO, Jeff Bridges can shill for whomever he likes. Whether or not we embrace the notion of “Buy American” first, we can all still agree that this is a free country. Or, it used to be.[/quote]
Allan from Fallbrook: How many decades does it take for Americans to trust American Made again when all the evidence, as you concede, points to “quality” being “fairly level” with the imports ?
What are “more reasonable labor rates” in your opinion ? Less or more than the job you have ? Are you against Unions in general or just for auto workers ?
Is it a “financially unsustainable model at work” because it allows American workers to make a better living for themselves than Third World workers ? Working for Third World companies with substantially less overhead; vis a vis the environment, health care, protecting workers, retirement and so forth ?
Or is it just that you would like to see American Autos selling for the price of Korean or Chinese made cars period ? (Wal Mart car prices, so to speak.)
As for Jeff Bridges, I totally agree with you.
If you have followed my posts, you will notice I never demand, insist or try to badger anyone into calling Jeff Bridges on the carpet over the Hyundai commercials ( fiasco IMO ). I simply ask. In what I feel to be a respectful manner.
Jeff Bridges can “shill” for whomever he likes. It is still a “free country”. But does shilling for Hyundai make it right? Especially at this particular time in history?
Living in a free country, you, as an American, have the right to make that decision for yourself. Either in private – or in a public forum such as this one. Pretty cool system we have here, eh ?
I started this post looking for answers to a problem but, most of what I hear are excuses and gripes. Many of them appear valid. Many of them not valid at all.
At least Obama is doing SOMETHING. He is, for better or worse, raising awareness of all the ins and outs of this complicated and expensive problem; as evidenced by this ongoing forum.
Honest debate good !
If you are truly “rooting for GM” what do YOU think the everyday American can do to help out ?
I am all ears my friend.
Hyundai’s buck forty nine a gallon gas for a year isn’t going to help GM’s problems. While we are debating the nuances of four wheel transportation, HIE-YUN-DIE continues to quietly steal market share.
China and India are anxiously waiting in the wings for us to drop the ball again.
Ask Jeff Bridges to stop the Hyundai ads now before it’s too late.
