U.S. Automakers Battle Public Bias

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070108/autos_ap_poll.html?.v=2 ^ | 1/8/07 | Will Lester

[Dixie Yooper]

Chrysler guy told me that the main thing that attracted M-B to Chrysler was the Jeep brand

Now BMW is the #1 German car company, even after making a mistake of their own by buying British Leland.

[mr_hammer]

"Amen to that... My next car will probably be another Honda made in Ohio, Toyota made in Kentucky, or a Hyundai made in Alabama :)"

Got it right guy...ask where GM and Ford have all their pieces parts made. China and everywhere else slave labor could be had.

Had a 98 Blazer that was in the shop for a serious malady every 90 days like clock work. Complained to Chevy about it and told them my 88 SR5 pick-up with 180,000 was a more reliable vehicle and the told me "SHOULD OF BOUGHT A TOYOTA THEN"! This is no lie!

Buy GM, ya right!

[1rudeboy]

Buy American!

[Little Pig]

So, if you need a cheap, disposable vehicle that you won't mind becoming riddled with bullets, buy a Nissan/Toyota.



It's not reliability, it's cost that drives the usage of these small trucks by "Technical" units. They can't afford the fuel for real trucks, and their shoestring budgets can buy more of these than they could real trucks, plus they aren't out as much when one of these throws an axle or blows a Birfield.

[EEDUDE]

***other tributes to cost-driven "engineering"***

Having worked as an engineer in the industry, I think that one sentence says it all.

[FreeManWhoCan]

My German colleague who just came from Germany a few months ago went and bought a brand new Ford Focus. He keeps asking me why the parts in the interior of the car are so 'loose" and shabbily built? When I asked him to pop the hood to take a look at his new car's engine, it got stuck and he had to fiddle with it to open it. This was the second day he bought it.

[Little Pig]

I prefer my Deuces to have doors:

[Sam Cree]

I love those old trucks too. Some of 'em were Dodges, I think. I have a friend who owns a couple of the smaller ones for a hobby, shown in the last photograph. And Dad had one of those old Willys Jeeps back in the day. My brothers and I learned to drive in it. Thanks for the pictures.

[Dixie Yooper]

I assert that American cars hit the wall in 1973 when all the air pollution devices were hung on them. V8s typically went from about 300hp down to less that 200 with a commensurate loss in performance and mileage. It took Detroit about 20+ years to learn how to build new cars with performance and low defects. The Japanese learned very quickly, and here we are. Detroit also had some problems with styling. I am not sure what happened, but they built some dogs for many years. They also must have thought that no one had families any more when they dropped the station wagons

My first vehicle was a 1973 Chevy C10 which was trouble from day one. Being young and full of pride in America and everything made in America nonsense, three years later I bought/ordered a new 1978 Chevy El Camino with a 200 V6 to save gas. After one year I realized I still have 3 years to go on a car loan for a pile a junk that I had to keep running no matter how much it cost. I kept it going by carrying a case of oil in spark plugs with me at all times until 1986. I bought a used 82 BMW and have never regretted buying foreign cars and trucks since.

[RabidBartender]

76 Mustang II
80 Ford Courier
79 Chevy Silverado
94 Explorer Sport

04 Escape - I guess this was supposed to be the replacement for the Explorer Sport, but it really isn't that good. I would go back to Chevy, but since they hired John Mellencamp to air those ignorant commericals, I'm done with them as well.

I think I'm turning Japanese. I really think so.

[Gorzaloon]

You left out the GM 200 V6 from 1978. The engine that enlightened me to no ever buy an American car or truck again.

!!! Slapping forehead. My sister's Pontiac!!

I am sure I missed a few more beauts!

[Dixie Yooper]

I love those old trucks too. Some of 'em were Dodges

The most beautiful pickup truck ever made was the late 50's Dodge Power-wagon. Too bad the top speed was only 40 mph.

[BW2221]

Ah, FReepers. They love Big Oil and Wal-Mart and hate the "Detroit Three."

[Dixie Yooper]

Ah, FReepers. They love Big Oil and Wal-Mart and hate the "Detroit Three

Some call it freedom of thought

[VRWCTexan]

OK - I'm confused, from everything I read so called "US / American" autos are actually made / assembled in either Canada or Mexico...

[Sam Cree]

Is this one of them?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Is that a Japanese Dodge ?

[Dixie Yooper]

Detroit Three

The Other Axis of Evil!

[gas0linealley]

As a high schooler with a date, riding in a NYC subway train circa early 60's, we were accosted by a drunken passenger who, in his tirade, repeatedly called us: "God dam*** electricians". Apparently electricians were on his mind since there had recently been a strike in the city.

The irrationality of some Freepers reminds me of that fellow.

[Dixie Yooper]

OK - I'm confused, from everything I read so called "US / American" autos are actually made / assembled in either Canada or Mexico...

Don't be confused, Americans still make the best cars and trucks, they just work for Toyota and Honda.