Ford cedes the performance pick-up....

[Scottwax]

Just to be ornery...



A lot of imports are now made in-country, so have the true domestics risen to the higher standard or have the imports fallen to a lower level?

No, the imports made here are still excellent cars, which goes to show it isn't the workers but the standards their employer's hold them to.

 

[1 Clean WS6]

Agreed that the US manufacturers have really screwed up over the years (GM in particular). The big 3 controlled over 90% of the American automobile market in 1960 and now control only 60% with GM taking most of the loss of market share. In 1960 GM controlled over 50% of the market, Ford had 30% and Chrysler had 15%. Chrysler has held their ground and still controls 15% today. Ford has dropped to around 25% and GM has had a massive drop to 30-35% of the market. Those are huge numbers and a big reason is the American consumer perpetuating the myth that imported cars are still better than the domestics. I have owned both and have been involved in working on cars for almost 12 years and can tell you I don't buy it. The big 3 were far behind the imports in the 80's for quality but for the last 10 years or so I see no difference whatsoever except that if your import breaks down it will cost you a lot more to fix. I also find that the imports use significantly cheaper materials in putting together their interiors which tend to wear a lot faster than comperable european or domestic vehicles. Just my take.

This is an excellent point. Of the Big 3 only Daimler/Chrysler has taken serious market risks by catering to small niche markets while simultaneously building "average Joe" cars and trucks. They use the niche vehicles to attract buyers to the showroom then sell them a normal one. Ford, in a way, paved the road for the niche market with SVT but is now reeling that back in the face of competition. Yet they promote the 500 sedan which is bland at best and a T-bird that the T-bird SuperCoupe of the 80's and 90's would smoke. GM...well...no other manufacturer has po'd me more. The management seems to think that they will keep on keepin' on just because they are GM. If it weren't for Cadillac, the Corvette and Chevy trucks they would be SOL. They seem to think that THEY will force feed the market and we will eat it just because they are GM. Great market philosophy.