Let me ask my question more clearly. Why can't Ford or Gm build a car of equal quality as a camry or civic???

Question

If we have the ability to go into outer space and return why are the japanese beating us in car sales and if we can't figure this out soon the chinese are right behind.

Answer 1

I will just say this. Of all the vehicles I have driven since I received my licence in 1965, I have had one true lemon. It was an import. I have never been left stranded by a North American made car in over 1 million miles of driving, and I have owned Chrysler, Ford, and GM products. I will continue to drive domestic vehicles as long as they treat me well.

Answer 2

You won't have to worry about Chinese auto manufacturers for a while. Their quality is TERRIBLE. I work in China a couple of months every year and their auto quality is so gawdawful it's not funny.

Have you driven the new Ford Fusion? Probably the top rated car quality-wise from a US manufacturer, according to Consumer Reports. If this is any indicator, Ford is getting it right, finally.

GM's problem has been their failure to overcome their own inertia due to ********* at all levels of management and a general refusal to admit that times are changing.

Ford has received a lot of press lately due to massive cuts at all levels. Maybe getting the deadwood out is what was needed and if early quality reports on the Fusion and Edge lines pan out it may be an indicator that they've finally figured it out.

While Ford was forced into cost-cutting by massive losses, GM has generally remained somewhat profitable and has resisted the "slash and burn" tactics that Ford HAD to apply to simply survive. With a bit of luck, a leaner and meaner Ford going forward may be enough to goad GM into getting off of their collective lard-bottoms and getting with the program.

Chrysler has been wallowing ever since the Daimler-Benz takeover. Even with the infusion of a LOT of MB technology into their lines -- a lot of the 300's suspension comes straight from the E-Class -- MB has had their own quality problems that they've yet to solve and this has only dragged Chrysler further down. Nursing two sick children is much more work that dealing with one so Daimler is now shopping Chrysler for a buyer. Anyone see a Ford-Chrysler merger or buyout? Scarier yet: Toyota-Chrysler or Honda-Chrysler.

Answer 3

It is a fact that american cars are up to par with the japanese quality standards. American car companies through their reputation out the window in the 80's and early 90's by worrying more about quantity than quality. They used cheaper quality materials and designs. The quality has been greatly improved over the last 10-12 years of production of american vehicles. Some reports will say american cars actually out perform some japanese manufactures quality standards. Unfortunatly, word travels slowly, and experience in a cheap car, may pursuade away buying that brand ever again. American car companies also cannot sell cars as cheap as Japanese cars since the american worker pay scale is much higher. Did you know GM pays more retired workers than current workers? Also have excellent health care benifits...etc.

Answer 4

How long have you been driving?? American cars are on par with Japanese cars..... in the 80's American cars quality dropped badly, then it came back up in the 90's and now the quality is at it's best.... here is an example for you.... my father has a 2001 Dodge Intrepid with well over 300K miles on it, it does not leak one drop or burn one drop of oil, the car has never had any mechanical failure or parts replaced other than brakes.... my point is that if you take care of a car, preventative maintenance, then the car will last.... the problem isn't the American car, it's the lazy American who owns it and neglects it.... never changing the oil, or tune-up's
just put gas in and drive until the car dies... then ask what is wrong with my car?? Look in the mirror... that is what is wrong....

Answer 5

Because GM and Ford "American made cars" Figure if the car last for 300,000 mile than people will not need to buy new one's ! And that came straight from a gm reps mouth !!!

Answer 6

Well I might get all kinds of hate mail but here is the facts.
I have to say unions.
The union has the auto makers spending tons on health care,, welfair and spending tons and tons on keeping the american worker healthy. Instede of spending it on the cars themselfs.
Japan has free health care and no unions to cretail the building of the cars. Thy spend it on quality and not anything else.
So I have to say unions have made it hard to build a good quility car to compete.
Dont get me wrong, I fix these cars, both American and japen but find that the japanese cars are built better as I dont work on them as much as american cars

Answer 7

my 2 cents
ford/gm/chrysler are going to have to break a bad stereotype of lack of quality...some of their new products are on par or better than current import models, but their track record hurts them badly. Also, poor decision making affects each brand...domestics can be making stylish cars, but have sank money into lining pockets and paying celebrity endorements...therefore, the consumer gets the shaft...domestics are now forced to downsize...which can help, but many will suffer for this gamble...

Answer 8

ford //gm still use the tried and true formula of design by committee, the more members the better, no one has complete say in any one design, and often its up to the marketing people to tell design what to build, the mechanics have absolutely nothing to say, nor do the customers.