Will the Perfect Storm unleash in the U.S.?

Question

Are the American automobile manufacturers ever going to wake up?

After witnessing the collapse of the GMC, and large amputations of the jobs in Ford, we must learn something.

The former head of Nissan's engineering team said after the fall of GMC, "the American automobile industry failed to listen to what the consumers demand."

Sure, our flashes are being eaten off by the Japanese and other foreign autos, but I do not see any sign of getting better.

Will the perfect storm come to the U.S. automakers? Will the Americans see the major fall of the American auto industries, significantly affecting our economy and bring the nightmare? (well, we are sort of having the nightmare already...)

Will the Americans get up from the comfort zone? Or will we change after the horrible events wake us up? Or will we fall into the deep, unwakeable sleep forever?

I want to hear what you think.

Answer 1

I guess you just found out how twisted are American auto industry really is. To those of us in auto repair we new this day would come cause we had to work on the stupid designs the engineers created and repair the half assed designs put into the assembly line.
On one hand i hope they go under all the way to not ever make a vehicle again who needs stupid people building cars anyways.
However on the other hand are country needs jobs and are own form transportation so where not so depend ant on other countries.
Ironically the largest anchor to are development in automotive is are service personal and there training to be aware of new products and how to repair them

Answer 2

The American giants are definitely definitely in a deep slumber. They've been losing market share for a while and have never questioned what they're doing wrong in relation to the Japanese and European counterparts. Its just dump.

The Japanese focus squarely on fuel economy. Thats the single factor that makes them sell, not because they're flashy.

The Europeans give you thorough pure breed performance and cater to a niche. They're not for everyone yet everyone wants them.

What do the Americans do? Keep bragging about "The Silverado ... with more hosepower than the F150 and more towing capacity than the Tundra" Silly.

Look, everybody has a price. Lure some of these brightest engineers to your factory and let them turn things around. Built quality cars and back them. Even Hyundai doesnt build quality cars, but look at their warranties. Now they're the FASTEST GROWING auto company in the world. Basically, American companies really desperately need to go back to the drawing board, and had darn right bring out quality cars.

Otherwise, I fear for the worst. With the current trend, dont be surprised to hear in a few years time that Ford is now a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Darn GM. Darn Ford. WAKE UP!!!

Answer 3

The "American" auto industry is now global. GM and Ford make lots of cars in other countries and the same is true of "foreign" car makers. I fail to see much difference between a car made in Tennessee or Alabama and one made in Janesville, Wisconsin. There are currently as many people working in the auto manufacturing industry in the USA as there were a dozen years ago. I don't have a lot of sympathy for GM and Ford who have created many of their own problems. I do feel sorry for the autoworkers who are faced with a major change in their lives despite their efforts to do good work. There is shift going on and it is not pleasant to look at, but at the end of the day, the companies that make the best quality products, with the best styling and deliver that at the most value packed price will get the business. That is truly the "American Way"

Answer 4

Nice synopsis...

Americans do appear to be sleeping... most of the universities are run by internationals and many of the higher paying jobs are going to lower skilled non-Americans so that American companies can trade for market shares and secure business fronts in other countries. The average American is becoming obsolete and disillusioned from within our own borders and it is because of our own ignorance to protect ourselves. Many things have brought on this situation, like the PC attitudes in Washington and the lack of public involvement....

I could go with this forever but I need to rest so I can get up tomorrow and continue my one man fight to save this great nation.

I don't think it's too late - I just hope more people start to wake up (like you) real soon.

However, eventually everyone (the planets population) will have to start thinking globally if any of us truly have a chance to progress...

I also believe that the US has some of the best people to lead the way that this Globe has to offer (and none of these people, true leaders, are politicians or actors).

Answer 5

One auto analyst, said that every car that GM sells 1.500 dollors goes to pay health ins and retirement benefits.he stated that GM is locked into these contracts, and when they were agreed upon,car sales where not at the low they are now.This and the fact they aren`t building cars people want contributes to there problems.I am sure the next step will be lowering labor cost which means going offshore . I believe also people aren`t brand loyal either.like they once were. Don`t forget the greed factor!

Answer 6

dont say we. i am not involve with american companies nor am i proud of their cars. they do need to open their eyes because japanese auto makers are dominating and they dont comply with consumer needs. especially in a time where gas price has spiked american companies still want to build big vehicles such as the super chief and yet they seem to scratch their heads to why the are losing profit. while japanese makers are planning on alternative fuel. its a shame to see american company fail to satisfy american consumer needs. and people still for some reason want to buy american car for american pride. and truthfully american cars are mostly assemble in mexico and canada so down goes that false pride. if u want a usa built car there are plenty of toyota production places. im glad that american cars are going down because its what they get for ignoring consumer needs.

Answer 7

The Perfect Storm was a weather catastrophe that struck the Northeast Seaboard in October of 1991. What does this have to do with cars?

Answer 8

Toyota's not the one laying off American workers. Just where I live in Kentucky they employ 10,000, with 4,000 more in related supply factories. There certainly not hurting the economy.