Posted on 03/04/2007 10:02:31 AM PST by LdSentinal
So a Chrysler hourly employee takes his 100K settlement, moves to MS, buys a cheap house for cash and starts working for Toyota. He as a great resume and a great new job with a successful company employing thousands of american workers.
Where's the downside again?
I suggest using Reagan and Harley Davidson as a case study.
Sometimes political expediency has to override libertarian economics, or we wind up with socialists in charge.
Reagan intuitively knew what it took to walk this fine line.
well IIRC an Ohio win for JFKerry would have made him President?
No, its liberal democrats from Michigan who are wrecking their own economy. Michigan is the only state in the union still stuck in a recession while the majority of the country is experiecing historical economic growth and sucess.
America steps in to prop up large industry all the time but I think America's automakers need to show they are willing to do their part also.
Congress should be irked at who is really responsible for Toyota's success.
Ford and GM.
"If they start coming up with lower end brands with a separate nameplate from their parent company, watch the quality on them drop."
Lexus - Toyota - Scion
Scion would be that lower end.
It's not GMAC on the front of the trucks, its GMC. The GMC lets you know that it's not an American made Chevy with the familiar bow tie, it's an import. GMC stands for General Motors of Canada. It's the same truck, just built on the other side of the Detroit River.
What a load of crap claiming this is because of currency manipulation.
The reason they can price their cars affordably is that $3000+ of the price tag doesn't go to pay pensions.
Good place to open a cathouse.
The Titan 2500 is coming next year. The 3500 will be out a year or so after that.
The Japanese have lots of experience making medium trucks - those UD or Hino Diesel, or similar? Yeah, they're all Japanese.
Another thread of people who haven't own an American car in years much less been under the hood of one bashing American cars because one they had 25 years ago was crappy.
I have bought two cars and a full-sized truck in as many years. EVERY TIME I tried to buy a Toyota but never did because they were never the best buy. Their cars are some of the ugliest on the road. The reason people buy them? The same reason people aren't buying American. Reputation.
For the last 10-15 years American drive trains have, for the most part, been on par with imports, if not better in some areas. US manufacturers could use a little polish on the fit and finish but they don't make junk. People who call American cars junk demonstrate that they are sheep and will parrot whatever they hear that fits their pre-existing beliefs.
The 3.9L V6 in my old G6 put out 240HP, and was a still a pushrod engine. Mated to the 6-speed it got 30 MPG, actual. Not only did Toyota not make a sports coupe with any power, they didn't even put a manual trans in their wimpy V6 cars. Oh, I only paid 24,400 for it. There was not another car on the market that could deliver that performance at that price.
I traded it for a Nissan Titan 4x4. Tried to buy a Tundra but my limit was 30K. I can barely get a Tocoma 4x4 for that, much less a full size.
I know why Americans started buying Toyotas and as a result of that, why they still do. What I cannot understand is why they insist in spreading BS about the quality of modern American vehicles and call them "junk". I'm not saying they've topped the imports but that in no way makes them "junk".
Agreed. Even on the low rolling hills here in SE PA you need an F-350 to pull a 4-horse, otherwise the horsies may take you on the ride of your life.
A global meltdown would ensue if the yen strengthened any further.
BUMP
See post number 28.
They need to have a diesel to get my attention, because for the cost you don't have as much engine life with gas engines.
What I'd like to know is why are the Japanese so much more capable of shooting for trends and Americans so sluggish. Say what you want to about the Prius but it's successful and only the Japanese seem to be capable of going after trends. American companies seem to think if they make it we'll buy it.
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