Will American auto makers ever improve the quality? What do you think is the problem?

Question

They have not, so far. And I think this serious loss to the foreign auto makers will be more in near future.

Why the American auto makers do not improve the quality of their products? Are they going to? If not, then what are the problems that make them not being able to do so?

Answer 1

I believe that the root of the problem is that they feel they must make cars for a mass market to suit everyone.

By doing this the car ends up being average at everything, They also have the Henry Ford attitude when it comes to designing for their customers "You can have it in any colour you like, as long as its black"

They also cannot compete on wages and work hours that the Japanese manufacturers can produce. so therefore they cut costs on the little things, like dashboard trim, seat covers & aircon.

I would never buy an American designed & built car, they are too unreliable, the ride is rubbish, the handleing is apparently great ... as long as you only ever drive in a straight line!
But worst of all ... the steering wheel is on the wrong side!

Answer 2

American vehicles tend actually to be built very well. Prior to 2000 most vehicles were appalling, cheap and average materials were used. Since 2000 from the various vehicles we have seen more and more UK customers are asking us for imports. The F150, Hummer and the new Corvette are just to name a few of what customers are now asking us for. Just remember the F150 is one of the best selling vehicle in the world and they have teamed up with Harley Davidson on design. The Hummer H1 was not fuel efficient now there is the H3. The Corvette use to be only good in straight lines but now its just as good on corners. The one thing the US is good at is honoring the warranty on there vehicles even if its in the UK.

Japanese car manufactures have simply raised the standards. That's why the US is suffering. The Japanese are now ever competing with the German's - who would of thought that. Guess it must be to do with that thing called the Lexus or the Hybrid vehicles they have produced.

As for reliability the customers and friends that I have who own US vehicles say its just as reliable as any other car - not including Japanese.

Answer 3

I'm not sure why American cars aren't as reliable as foreign cars, but I do wish they were. If they don't, they will keep losing sales. My question is, "Do you think American car manufactures will ever go out of business completely"?

Answer 4

one problem is the UAW. too much labor cost. another is the american petroleum industry. don't want too good mileage. another is the "planned obsolecense" necessary for a good parts replacement industry. have i angered everyone equally you think? i'm through now.