Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Toyota’s success in U.S. irks some on Capitol Hill
The Columbus Dispatch ^ | Ken Thomas

Posted on 03/04/2007 10:02:31 AM PST by LdSentinal

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-102 next last
To: L98Fiero

From my post:

"US manufacturers could use a little polish on the fit and finish but they don't make junk."

I take it neither of those vehicles were experiencing any kind of failure due to what I'd call shoddy finishing. What you point out is where American manufacturers have some work to do, IMO. I expect cutting those little corners saves them a great deal in union wages.


61 posted on 03/04/2007 11:31:16 AM PST by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: LdSentinal
Indiana will not vote for Hillary or HUSSEIN Obama in 2008.

And yet the idiots continue to vote for Evan Bayh!

62 posted on 03/04/2007 11:34:52 AM PST by 03A3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: nascarnation
All those Reagan Democrats getting flushed in this process proved in 06 they're done voting Republican.

I'm not sure. The Republicans had all those years and didn't do a blessed thing about illegal immigration. If the Dems don't either, the Republicans will get back in.

63 posted on 03/04/2007 11:37:28 AM PST by old and tired
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: bkepley

"What I'd like to know is why are the Japanese so much more capable of shooting for trends and Americans so sluggish."

I think, historically, this has bitten the big three a few times. Detroit is generally not one to go in for trends and fads while the Japanese create trends and fads. Drifting, tuner cars, etc.

The trends that Americans create (hotrodding, big muscle, etc.) were squashed by the government.

Also Toyota had the funds for the kind of tooling it takes to crank out a completely new car like the Prius. Retooling production costs out the wazoo for Detroit. I read somewhere the R&D and tooling costs for Fords 4.6L cost near a billion dollars.


64 posted on 03/04/2007 11:39:43 AM PST by L98Fiero (A fool who'll waste his life, God rest his guts.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Qout

I believe you are wrong.

It stands for General Motors Corporation. According to one of my friends in the auto-biz, that emblem is THE ONLY difference between the two vehicles. They are made in the US as well as Canada. And, in the same plants.


65 posted on 03/04/2007 11:40:17 AM PST by CTOCS (Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Kickass Conservative

Not to mention that MS has a nicer climate than Detroit (if you like warm, muggy weather). :^)


66 posted on 03/04/2007 11:40:22 AM PST by Disambiguator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: cinives

They've already announced that there will be diesel engines. And those medium trucks? Yeah, they already have diesels.

And Nissan *may* be getting the Cummins, as Mercedes is making noises like they want to use their own diesels in the Ram now.


67 posted on 03/04/2007 11:44:44 AM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: psjones

My uncle, a 40 year union man, bought a used Toyota pickup truck after a string of GM lemons. He's now a Toyota convert and just bought a new Camry.


68 posted on 03/04/2007 11:46:48 AM PST by 6SJ7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Spktyr

Raw wire ends. Nice! Not to mention it looks like about 3 pounds of electrical tape was used to wrap the wire harness.


69 posted on 03/04/2007 11:51:25 AM PST by 6SJ7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: LdSentinal

I'm loving it as Michigan continues to fall behind states like Mississippi in economic development. Arrogant folks up North have been laughing at the poor South for generations and will soon get a taste of their own medicine.


70 posted on 03/04/2007 11:52:23 AM PST by Aikonaa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aikonaa

You are right about this. It's been happening for quite some time actually.


71 posted on 03/04/2007 11:56:17 AM PST by ItisaReligionofPeace
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: Spktyr

I'm all for choice - if it's good I'll look at it.


72 posted on 03/04/2007 12:02:16 PM PST by cinives (On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: CTOCS

I agree with you. I think the GMC brand was created so that other GM dealers, like Pontiac, would be able to sell GM-made trucks.


73 posted on 03/04/2007 12:06:41 PM PST by hellbender
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: dhs12345
For the longest time, American car manufacturers used American patriotism as a tool to take advantage of their American customers.

The funny thing is that many smug, wanna-be-elite liberals won't even consider buying American brand cars. Not because of quality issues but because American cars are not up to their aesthetic or status symbol standards. There have been many heated arguments between union thugs and latte-liberals on this issue on leftist blogs and discussion forums.

74 posted on 03/04/2007 12:07:58 PM PST by Aikonaa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: LdSentinal

How about we try "Union thugs and the Democrats who need their cash don't like Japanese car makers" -- There that's much clearer now.

I buy quality and value ...


75 posted on 03/04/2007 12:10:45 PM PST by Tarpon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Disambiguator

As opposed to 9 feet of snow in the winter?


76 posted on 03/04/2007 12:21:21 PM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: LdSentinal
"They’re manipulating the yen and it creates big differences in what they can sell their automobiles for," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, DMich.

Cost had very little to do with my decision to buy a Toyota, it was all about reliability and service life. Many of Toyotas vehicles actually cost more than the typical Detroit vehicle.

77 posted on 03/04/2007 12:23:02 PM PST by CarryaBigStick
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nascarnation

Very true. And almost any other state as well. And the same for Gore. In any event, most of the genuine conservatives have already fled those states. You can't count on any of them in the GOP column.


78 posted on 03/04/2007 12:37:16 PM PST by Brilliant
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Aikonaa

From where I sit the only hard core liberals are union domos - much of the rank and file fits the profile of what I call Reagan democrats - but pocketbook issues are a big influence. And there are a lot of retirees from the auto industry who vote too.


79 posted on 03/04/2007 12:52:08 PM PST by nascarnation
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: Spktyr
Notice the cut and taped wires with NO SEALANT OR COVERING OVER THE CUT ENDS!!!

Do you know how to get out of the rain, are do you know when it's raining?

Most all vehicles that have a multiple engine platform, have a general wiring harness. That means there are wires that are not used if you have a different motor platform. If you look inside your computer you will find the same thing unused sockets and wire's .

80 posted on 03/04/2007 1:09:19 PM PST by org.whodat (Never let the facts get in the way of a good assumption.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-102 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson