Are US automakers stupid? Is the UAW just as responsible?

Question

“(Automakers) complain about government regulation, but it’s not like they have run their businesses so well on their own. There are car companies doing well, and there are many reasons why they are doing well, but one important one is they produce cars that are fuel-efficient and reliable, and we are talking about entire fleets here. The bottom line is Toyota is the leader in these areas because they were willing to think about these issues long before they were needed, and at a time when Detroit thought oil prices would be cheap forever,”
Associated Press

If the UAW was so concerned about losing jobs to foreign companies why did they ignore the need for better fuel economy and new technology?

Toyota and others thought about it long ago.
What did they know that no one else knew?

Answer 1

Yep, U.S. automakers are just dumb be it in the board room or on the assembly line. Ford's in bad shape in the market and GM isn't doing much better. Both probably wouldn't turn down a government handout.

Answer 2

The big 3 had in the past had there issues with reliability but now they are just behind the Japanese in that department. The Germans crank out garbage but every one still buys them. The press has a lot to do with it because every time Chevy messes up they get hammered, but when do you ever hear about Honda?

Style still has a lot to do with why people look at other cars rather the the big 3. Plus the tuners really don't look at the Chevy cobalt which has as much potential as the civic for speed or looks.

The UAW is another problem that the Japanese do not have. The big 3 are hampered with workers and contracts that were to generous even for there times. So the Japanese roughly have 1000-3000 dollars per car to add value that the Big 3 have to spend on the UAW in the same price points.

They didn't think about fuel economy long ago they just stuck to there business models and the scenario changed. Because Chevy sells the cobalt and my friends get 33mpg hwy. the big 3 have to many option packages that cost more to make then a car with less option packages.

The only way there going to turn around is with cars people want, and that means V8 rear wheel drive coupes. They have to follow there own path not the Japanese in catch up. Ford sells tons of Mustangs but the focus is dead in the water here in the states. It started off good but now it needs a major re-due.

Answer 3

It's amazing how the government and the US auto makers have been searching for the answer to besting the Japanese and we have the answer here, on yahoo..

Did they mention that it was the US that taught them how to do it? It was a Mr. Demming, I believe, after WW2. Did they mention anything about the Japanese keeping the value of the yen low, so they make even more when they convert back to yen? Did they mention how when a worker gets old and has a hard time keeping up on the line, that one day he is just gone? Did they say anything about the Japanese having more lobbyists than any orther concern? Anything about all the handouts they got to come over here and take our jobs away? Most of their plant are in the South in small towns where there was not a lot of work around, so people were more than happy to work for lower wages just to have a job?

If you want to talk quality, how about the honda cars of the 60's and the first Toyota's? Back then they weren't that hot.
What about some of the fines they got for dumping their products here? Selling them below cost just to buy market share? That was with their motorcycles, that I know about.
Why do the Japanese go to Hawaii to buy stereos, cameras, and other elecronic equipment? Because they can save enough on their purchases to pay for the trip, the same goods in America cost a lot less than in Japan. Why is that?
All these guys with the answers, how many years have you put in the assembly plants making cars and trucks?
The American car companies are trying to take care of their retired employees the best they can. the Japanese seem to get rid of their old employees and let them hit the street. How would you feel if that happened to you, or better yet, your Dad and Mom? Then you would have to have them live with you and take care of them. Ford always treated me fair, and I have no complaints. Henry Ford was the first to offer $5 a day, and it sure helped the economy. Now we are sending the profits back to Japan, and we have a trade deficeit and we need to raise taxes to cover our expenses and pay the interest on the money we owe Japan. I hate to get started, but guy look at the whole picture, don't be too quick to critize unless you walk a mile in our shoes. good luck

Answer 4

I want I had an answer on your question. As a man or woman living in Michigan for many of my existence i can declare that this cave in of the american vehicle industry has been coming for a whilst now and the whole international ought to understand that they did it to themselves. The UAW is the two as stupid because of the fact the super 3.... they are choking one yet another.

Answer 5

If you peruse the back issues of Consumer Reports, you will find that the Japanese cars in general have been far superior to domestic cars in terms of reliability for over 1/4 century. I don't know why anyone buys domestic other than a sense of loyalty to a brand name or some other notion. If domestic automakers were smart, they would have improved the reliability of their vehicles long before this.

Answer 6

Yep, It`s UNION SNIVELING!! Over paid meatheads pay a union to keep things good for them. It`s a political group like any other.