Jus somethin to think about

Posted by: @moe-parr

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"...It appears that the current Administration is trying to reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry..."

Really?    Countless experts, not just pinheads  like me, predict lower profits for ALL OEMS, higher consumer prices, decreased demand, job losses, delayed launches, and R&D cutbacks.

Posted by: @brush

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I'm in the wrong place here, CADILLAC way too rich for my meager means.

Don't ever be intimidated by American luxury brands - especially Cadillacs & Lincolns.   Trust me when I tell you, there's really nothing about those vehicles that can't be found elsewhere for either more OR less money.   Most well-equipped F-Series Ford trucks will blow away MANY luxury cars.     

"Cadillacs & Lincolns.... big deal!"    Ever drive through Tuxedo Park New York, Grosse Point Michigan, parts of Southern Florida, or Bel Air California?   You know who drives Cadillacs and Lincolns there?    A: The gardeners.    😏 

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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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.

For the most part, that's exactly right.  Without competition, it's VERY easy to move merchandise; monopolies can be very lucrative.  😏    What's always bothered me about "The Big 3"  is that they knew better!   

Collectively, they employed among the greatest, talented, and brightest in the world - but it didn't matter, in the end, decisions were based on short-term greed and not long-term gains.    Obvious answers to most problems were simply cast aside on the way to the bank.         

....ya think Forrest Gump  would've permitted GM's decline? 

Posted by: @bob-jackman

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If you have no view of the future then it's likely you have none.

great comment Bob. At least you guys still have an auto manufacturing industry. Our once thriving industry totally wound up about 10 years ago. Unique cars, manufacturers from all over the world producing here creating 1000s of jobs and also helping form part of our national identity. All gone.

Geoff

It is very interesting to read through this thread.  It shocked and saddened me in a way, back in the 80s, when I first began to comprehend the amazing advances made by Japanese auto manufacturers into the North American market.  By that time I had owned a number of American cars from what we term the Malaise Era and sadly they were all very inferior in QC to the Japanese equivalent.  The arrogance and shortsightedness of American auto executives in the 70s and 80s in particular is stunning in hindsight; my god how could they not have appreciated the danger these Japanese alternatives presented?  I remember being shocked at how well built, reasonably priced and economical to run the early 70s Datsuns, Toyotas, etc. were.  My first one of these was a '71 Toyota Hilux pickup which was bullet proof; several of my friends had 71-72 Corolla coupes and loved them.  Then Hondas poured into the market and were a smash success.  I have owned very many cars since 1970, both domestic and foreign, and there is no doubt that the many Datsun/Nissans, Honda/Acuras, Toyotas and a couple Mazdas have been so good in reliability and resale value that it's hard to not give them the nod in the future.  The Japanese in particular have so impressed North American buyers (and in fact world round) that several generations of consumers now automatically give their products first consideration.  This deeply entrenched trend is almost impossible to reverse now, so perhaps the only viable alternative for many North American auto workers is to continue to build foreign car assembly plants here.  

To tie in with another ongoing post today....here is a sad example of the problematic overly relaxed automotive employee attitudes; this one a GTO assembly line in the early 1970s.

sorry...... 🙃 

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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To tie in with another ongoing post today....here is a sad example of the problematic overly relaxed automotive employee attitudes; this one a GTO assembly line in the early 1970s.

-- attachment is not available --

sorry...... 🙃 

Is that the seat production line ? 🤗

@100ford2003 No it isn't....here is a Seat assembly line from the 1950s; they have been making cars in Spain for many decades.

The GM assembly line scene in the pic from the other post is Pontiac's udder factory.

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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@100ford2003 No it isn't....here is a Seat assembly line from the 1950s; they have been making cars in Spain for many decades.

-- attachment is not available --

The GM assembly line scene in the pic from the other post is Pontiac's udder factory.

🤣 Jack, you're really whipping them out today 👍 Have you had a fav cold beverage yet...? LMAO

@100ford2003 My apologies....it's Doctor Drivel unleashed.......the nausea never ends.  Makes the 3 Stooges look like Mensa Club members.

@jack-dodds 

Interesting reading. I have owned a Japanese car since October 1972. At times I also had an American car.

Someone may have brought this up before???

The current Admin wants to return most or all manufacturing jobs to the US shore...

Got to believe the US pay scale is one of the highest internationally.

That being said...everything made here in the USA will cost much more.

@100ford2003 Come on Steve, you mean to tell me a Chevrolet Citation would now fit your need.  LOL 😀

Posted by: @carsman1958

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@100ford2003 Come on Steve, you mean to tell me a Chevrolet Citation would now fit your need.  LOL 😀

I'm currently shopping for a 2025 Pontiac Sunbird !

Posted by: @100ford2003

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Posted by: @carsman1958

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@100ford2003 Come on Steve, you mean to tell me a Chevrolet Citation would now fit your need.  LOL 😀

 

I'm currently shopping for a 2025 Pontiac Sunbird !