Cars

U.S. Automakers Puts Spin on Public Bias

I just read an article that spoke about how the U.S. Automakers were trying to win back the American consumer, stating that the problem is a “misperception” more than a reality.  The article says that the problem started in the late 1960s and early 1970s which is probably the true part.  But here’s where the article gets creative.  The article then states:

• “Back then, a teenager's first set of wheels probably was something like a 10-year-old American-made car, with all the attendant problems. The replacement might have been a new Japanese compact, a more reliable performer with better gas mileage.”

Duhhhh!!!  That’s partially true.  But it wasn't just the 10-year-old American-made cars that were giving consumers problems, it was the new, "fresh off the show room floor" cars that were problematic, not to mention, gas guzzling black holes. From that point on, once the imports started to take over the market with Japanese imports that were not only more gas efficiant but more reliable as well, the cars earned a well-deserved reputation for quality. 

Although the Japanese imports have a higher parts and labor rate, not only does the car last longer, but the amount of times you actually have to "take it in" for repairs is less than the average American car.  I would rather have an import with a higher parts and labor rate, that last forever and fewer trips to the dealership for repairs, than a “home-manufactured” vehicle that is constantly in the shop for problems (outside of routine service) that has a low parts and labor rate.

Let me be frank for a minute, why the hell would I want to have a less expensive car that is in the shop "every five minutes", even before the warranty has expired, when I can spend a little more on a Japanese import and get my money’s worth, a car that will last for years before encountering my first major problem?  My Maxima is 9years old, and during its eighth year came my first major problem: clutch replacement, followed by rebuilding the transmission.

That was a hard hit to have those two major repairs back-to-back (thanks to Capital Nissan screwing up a routine clutch replacement, causing the transmission problem), But in the six years that I have owned my car, other than routine maintenance, that clutch replacement was the first time my car had to go in the shop (oh yeah, did I mention I bought the car used, two years old). 

American Automakers said they are addressing the “reputation” problem, by creating more futuristic models, and models more like the classics made in the 1960’s.  The article later states:

• “Auto industry analysts say many people have the perception that cars made overseas are built better than American cars. But the performance of American-made cars is now actually very close to those made in Japan and higher than many cars made in Europe, they said. Foreign cars do have an advantage in resale value, however.”

Duhhh again!!!!  They maintain a higher resale value because they are more dependable cars, and dealerships that buy them back from you know they can resale the car, period.  You do the math!  You know, in all honesty, I would love to own (notice I didn't say buy) an American car, they get better gas mileage now-a-days, and they look pretty sweet, not to mention, they are very “roomy”, but the fact remains that I, like most Americans that but imports, just don’t trust them.  And until you address the durability issue, it will remain that way.

In closing: don't fool yourself U.S. automakers, because we the American consumers are not fooled, the problem is more than a misperception, it is a reality.

Chuch!!!

January 9, 2007

 

The article referenced: U.S. Automakers Battle Public Bias