Jus somethin to think about

Interesting that Michigan isn't on the list...sad how the U.S. let the domestic auto industry decline to such an extent!

Posted by: @moe-parr

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"....sad how the U.S. let the domestic auto industry decline....."

"The U.S. let?"    Surely you're not implying the Unites States Government is to blame?     

"The Big 3"  has (had ) NO ONE to blame but themselves.  They quite literally allowed market share to incrementally erode year after year; all the while reacting too slow and too late.   I did my part, having purchased them all (I've never owned a foreign car ) - but it's, unfortunately, probably all moot.     It's highly unlikely - almost a mathematical certainty - that "The Big 3"  will ever dominate in North America again.

I lost interest in most American made cars in the late '60s. Oh sure, I lusted after certain Mustangs, Camaros and Firebirds. After my first car...a '61 Country Sedan I got a '68 Opel Kadett. Cheap to keep running during the opec debacle. Then I got a '76 Scirocco. The '78 Wolfsburg Edition sealed that deal till Pam and I met up and we needed a larger car. Summer of '85 got a Maxima... I don't remember too many four doors with a stick shift available at the time. Traded that in on a '88. Almost got myself a Camaro IROC when I drove that it reminded me of my 70 Trans-Am.I was in 7th Heaven but once again that wouldn't fulfill my & Pam's needs. I've nothing against American cars however I've had great luck with the Sciroccos and Maximas I've had. It just seems like the American manufacturers weren't producing anything that would fit my needs. 

Steve 

One can do quite a lot when essentially your economy is re-built and when your national defense is handled by your very BIG big brother. It is great to have a really strong bodyguard.

...yes, yes, the U.S. has helped everyone for decades.  What does that have to do with just how "The Big 3"  conduct business, or the lack thereof? 

A surprising amount.

...it's a weak argument.  

Certainly, there's no disputing that U.S. post-war involvement (along with other nations ) helped to create & shape Japan's robust & highly competitive auto industry, but to suggest it was this very "rebuilding"  that's primarily responsible, for the decline of the U.S. auto industry is absurd.   

"Partly responsible"  is contrary to "a surprising amount."  

No one, with a straight face, can ever say "The Big 3"  didn't become victims of their own success, greed, and arrogance.  They became complacent, as they turned a blind eye to the realities of consumer demands and expectations. 

And again, I say all this without malice - contempt perhaps - but not malice.  LoL   I'm probably one of a few, or possibly the only one across these Forums that has never purchased a foreign car.  

Posted by: @chris

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No one, with a straight face, can ever say "The Big 3"  didn't become victims of their own success, greed, and arrogance.  They became complacent, as they turned a blind eye to the realities of consumer demands and expectations.  

OMG Chris, can I agree a million per cent with that. The car makers of the US were slow to recognize the need and desire of the US car buyer when they built what THEY wanted and, apparently to compete against each other instead of the world market.

Again it happens today. I know you are a Caddy man and you know I own a Caddy. Most Americans want an ICE car. Cadillac has announced, many times lately, that they are heading for an all-electric model line-up. Yet they redid the next generation XT5, with gas engine, and have started selling it in China. Here, they discontinued the XT5, XT4 and the XT6 will be next if it already hasn't bit the dust.

This isn't what the US populace desires; they say so on the Cadillac Society Forums and elsewhere. They're intent on their agenda and not what the public wants from them.

@perrone1 

.... so many "cans of worms."    Yes, the XT6 will be done this year, and you may recall I purchased one of the last ATS coupes - more as a collector car.  It's unlikely we'll see a 2-door ICE Cadillac anytime soon, or ever again.

With many "climate-change denier polices"  now in motion (or at least on the table ) OEMs must pivot, but as YOU know, OEM course-correction can be painfully slow & quite costly.

If Cadillac wants to generate profits, they'll simply have to engage in major "re-thinks"   of platforms & powertrains; I suspect they'll get there. But again, and to my point, even in 2025, US OEMS really haven't learned much since the 1970's.   They continue to lose market share.  For example, GM went from #1 to #6 (or #7 ) in just 18 years.... that's nothing to brag about.   😔 😔 😔 

@chris 👍 

Posted by: @chris

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Posted by: @moe-parr

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"....sad how the U.S. let the domestic auto industry decline....."

"The U.S. let?" Surely you're not implying the Unites States Government is to blame?     

"The Big 3"  has (had ) NO ONE to blame but themselves. They quite literally allowed market share to incrementally erode year after year; all the while reacting too slow and too late. I did my part, having purchased them all (I've never owned a foreign car) - but it's, unfortunately, probably all moot. It's highly unlikely - almost a mathematical certainty - that "The Big 3"  will ever dominate in North America again.

Like you, I always buy "American" cars but they're not so American anymore...my wife's last 4 Buicks were all built in South Korea, my current Dodge Charger in Canada, and its predecessor Lincoln MKZ in Mexico. At least the latter two were built in NORTH America. 

I think the "blame" is shared among Govt. for being too lenient on imports - Big 3 for poor management decisions - Labor Unions for being too greedy - and U.S. consumers for being too willing to export their dollars. It appears that the current Administration is trying to reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry, which would be a huge economic growth engine.

@perrone1 Chris and Tony I couldn't agree more with your points. While the government plays a part, it's the total lack of judgement on the part of the manufacturers that has destroyed the former domestic brands. For decades they dictated what the consumer wanted and got by with it until competition said otherwise. It took competition to open the domestic makers to the concept of innovation and quality was what the public wanted. Somehow, some day, maybe the decision makers will get out of their ivory towers and talk to the people in whose hands their future lies. In a few years what do you think an electric vehicle will be worth on trade in? If you have no view of the future then it's likely you have none.

@bob-jackman WELL said Bob!

I'm in the wrong place here, CADILLAC way too rich for my meager means. Never owned a luxury or sports car.

Loved American cars until 1972, after that they were junk IMO.  '73 to 2001 I road motorcycles & drove pick-up trucks.  Retired in 2001 with a 2000 pick-up and since '03 have bought Japanese cars with two exceptions, '03 Chevy Silverado SS & '20 Ford Explorer both of which I got rid of with in 6 months for a Toyota Highlander and a Subaru Forester Wilderness.