Amen to that. Decades of pushing crap on consumers is probably the biggest thing that undid the big three. It also allowed the Japanese to come in. Most American cars are better now but its hard to wipe out the legacy of some of the 1970s and 1980s American cars. Particularly when people who switched to other companies are generally happy. You don’t switch back unless you are confronted with a truly better alternative. With rare exceptions you don’t find American cars in key segments that are compelling enough to overcome new brand loyalties. Loyalties that you helped create through things such as the Pinto and the Vega.
The big three have produced some good trucks but for too long the cars were not up to snuff. Now Japanese companies are gunning for the fullsize market. Gunning with some good trucks too. The new Tundra is a heck of a truck.
“Most American cars are better now but its hard to wipe out the legacy of some of the 1970s and 1980s American cars. “
Better, but not good, and they slip back to putting out crap. American companies are still run by bean counters. Accountants don’t build quality cars.
I have a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville. A top of the line Pontiac, right? It’s a POS.
My next car will be a Honda, I won’t even consider GM.