Poll: American Cars

There's been alot of press recently about the plight of the Big Three and the chance that they may get a bailout because they aren't doing well.

It seems that the question comes down to: What would happen if we Bail the Big Three Out. Or what would happen if we don't?

But really it seems the question comes down to YOU, the people who buy and drive cars.

So.. a little poll.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?

Yes and no...hubby has an 05 Chevy Cavalier and I have a 08 Scion xB (just bought!)

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?

Hubby bought it because it was dirt cheap off the lot...I think it was only $9500 brand new in 2005...special edition base model...no frills.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

We just bought a 2008 Scion xB...a Toyota product, although assembled in the US

-better gas mileage

-best warranty available...lifetime powertrain

-great financing options

-no haggle pricing really appealed to u

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?

Absolutely not...

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

The very fact that they are likely the companies are about to go belly up...who will honor service contracts, warranties and the like for the lifetime of the new vehicle?  Aside from that, the workmanship on American made cars is commonly considered inferior and GAS MILEAGE...most American made are gas guzzlers!  We didn't even consider an American made car when we bought the Scion...nothing could compare to it.

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

Improve quality and workmanship

Better technology and fuel efficiency!

Original Post by trhawley:

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  Yes, a Mercury and I have a Ford Truck.

until recently (5 - 10 years ago), if i'd needed a truck, i'd have bought american.  now even that doesn't make sense.

I own an "American" car (however, the engine is Korean so, I don't know if you can really say that a car has a nationality any more, especially given that "German" and "Japanese" cars are being made in the U.S). 

But in looking at why Congress and the administration fell all over themselves in order to give $700 BILLION dollars to the financial sector, but now are acting like they don't give a hoot about issuing a $25 Billion LOAN to domestic automakers to save the 3 million jobs that would be eliminated if they go out of business, not to mention the national security implications of not being able to produce our own vehicles...

Given that Ford and GM particularly deliberately chose to produce giant gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks since the late 90s, and given that oil companies have thus reaped record profits upon record profits for the past 7ish years, and given that our government could have demanded higher fuel efficiency standards at any point in the past and chose not to....

I want to know why we don't force the oil companies to buy a boatload of non-voting stock in the car companies, to the tune of about, oh, I don't know, say $25 billion dollars, and make them hold the stock for 2 years and then pass new fuel efficiency standards and see if that doesn't put them on the right track

I've had my truck 12 years.

Edit:  I've only had the car since July when I totaled a Lincoln but I'm very happy with it.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

until recently (5 - 10 years ago), if i'd needed a truck, i'd have bought american.  now even that doesn't make sense.

 Good news - the Honda Ridgeline is 75% manufactured in Canada!  That'll likely be my next vehicle, although I'll be buying used.

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

Given that Ford and GM particularly deliberately chose to produce giant gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks since the late 90s, and given that oil companies have thus reaped record profits upon record profits for the past 7ish years, and given that our government could have demanded higher fuel efficiency standards at any point in the past and chose not to....

I want to know why we don't force the oil companies to buy a boatload of non-voting stock in the car companies, to the tune of about, oh, I don't know, say $25 billion dollars, and make them hold the stock for 2 years and then pass new fuel efficiency standards and see if that doesn't put them on the right track

 I like the way you think.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?

Yes, I have a 2001 GM. I will likely get rid of it in the next few months since I just bought a 08 Lexus RX Hybrid.

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?

Family connection to the dealership made me think I could trust them. I simply didn't know where else to go and didn't really know how to shop for cars so I bought 2 from the GM dealership. Now I've realized their product is crap compared to imports.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

I bought the new Lexus based on 2 things. I wanted a SUV hybrid, which substantially narrows the options. I don't trust the hybrid technology that the american companies have created - Toyota (which is Lexus) has a longer track record and more proven technology. American companies are now trying to play catch up in this area because the did not make it priority like Toyota did.

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?

Absolutely NOT!

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

Anyone who does has not thought through the consequenses of these companies going bankrupt. If you are spending 20..30..50,000 on a vehicle a warranty is important!!! If the company goes under there may be no warranty even if the company is bought out, that may be something they don't honor ... that is a total deal breaker!


Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

They would have to show the same dedication to innovation and producing a cost efficient high quality product that the imports have.  They would also have to prove that they have a viable business ... which would likely mean the end of the labour unions. Let's face it, from a business perspective one overseas labourer making $50/day vs. one US labourer making $150/day means 3 times the production costs. Where the American auto producers recouped this difference is in the qualtiy of the end product so that they could offer a comparably priced vehicle.

As for the bail out - I think it's a ridculous idea. These car manufactuers did this to themselves by not taking the import competitors seriously and taking action 10+ years ago. Think about it - if McDonalds was about to go under would anyone even consider bailing it out as a company? I'd bet McDonalds employes more Americans though. These are businesses that do not share their profits with anyone but their shareholders. Their losses should be all theirs as well.

i was parked next to a ridgeline yesterday.  i think they're gorgeous, but probably more vehicle than i'll ever need (if i get horses again, i'll probably get an old farm truck, but it won't travel more than 200kms/year).

i don't like the toy vehicles (honda fit, toyota yaris, etc).  if i ever buy another fully-gas-powered vehicle (doubtful), it might be a mazda 5; same platform as the 3, but more dog room (ugly, though.  tragically ugly).

which would likely mean the end of the labour unions. Let's face it, from a business perspective one overseas labourer making $50/day vs. one US labourer making $150/day means 3 times the production costs. Where the American auto producers recouped this difference is in the qualtiy of the end product so that they could offer a comparably priced vehicle.

I really don't think the reason why the big 3 are having so many problems is because of the cost of their labor. They also didn't recoup labor costs by using inferior quality. Their cars made in other countries have as many problems as the one made in the US.

The big 3, GM in particular have made so many poor management decision since the mid-70's that it is no wonder they are going belly up. They like to blame it on high labor costs, but I just don't see that as the main reason. That is just easy to point to and show how much money they could save by using cheaper labor. They still are going to fix the quality problems, the engineering problems, the fuel efficiency problems, if they go to cheaper labor.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  No- Subaru WRX (STI Upgraded).

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors?  N/A

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?  Because I wanted a sporty car that had All Wheel Drive so that I could survive the nasty ice blasts we were getting.  Subaru is the only option for that.  (Within a decent price range- Audi is not a decent price range.  The Evo is not a decent price range.)

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?  If I didn't need All Wheel Drive and money was no object I'd so have a 2005+ Mustang or Corvette.  Or money truly, truly no object it'd be a Viper.    You  can kinda tell my tastes.

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?  I kinda like the gas guzzlers.  But why wouldn't I buy an American car right now?  If I buy a Mustang and Ford goes under how the hell does that affect my Mustang?  I still have the car.  "Because it's not a good investment" is bullcrap.  Cars aren't good investments- they depreciate so fricken fast it makes your head spin.  You buy cars because you like them and you need them.  It's not like the housing market. (But be aware I'm of the "buy a car outright or at least as much as possible" school of thought.  If I get a loan I know I'm throwing away money.  That said, I had to get a loan to get my car.  Because I fell in love with the car, not because I wanted to invest it.)

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?  Beh, it'd take too long to rant about.  My company works closely with the auto industry so I'm a little jaded as well.  As a taxpayer I don't want them to be bailed out but as an employee we need them to be- with the stipulation that they can't ship the work to overseas suppliers.

i think it was a problem of complacency: the big three sat back and watched while the asian cars got better and better and the european cars got more and more accessible, and they did virtually nothing to change.  i think the assumption was that most american buyers would continue to buy american, no matter what. 

and most of us remember in the 80s how much press iacocca got for "turning around" chrysler; what a joke!

it really shows a crazy degree of egotism.

Original Post by dirktwolf:

 with the stipulation that they can't ship the work to overseas suppliers.

 If they aren't able to ship the work overseas then giving them 25 billion is just throwing good money after bad since they also need to run a viable business ... which clearly they haven't been able to do with their current business model. If these companies are going to survive and be viable on their own they need to have a fundamental shift in their entire business model.

and yet Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Saturn - all manage to build cars in the U.S.

so obviously it can be done

I think they may need to shed some useless layers of management/bureaucracy

Question 1: Do you own an American Car? Yep...a 2007 Saturn Ion

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors? - Great quality (had a Saturn before and it was awesome), - Great financing, - Great customer service, - great design, - good gas milage, - good warranty, - good price.

I looked at a Honda Accord and had such a bad experience at the dealership (they pulled every trick in the book...including taking the keys to my trade-in away and refusing to give them back until I had driven the Honda for the night...tried to trick me into higher financing...horrible prices) that I refuse to even consider them now.

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car? Yep...most likely a Saturn. However, I'd look at others as well...Toyota, MiniCooper, Nissan...I'm not set on American, but I'm not set against them either.


I don't think the Big3 should be bailed out. They need to file for chapter 11, then reorganize. The government can provide the loans after they file for bankruptcy...this would still save most of the jobs, however allow them the opportunity to get out of the horrible union contracts and to get rid of the poor management.

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

and yet Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Saturn - all manage to build cars in the U.S.

so obviously it can be done

I think they may need to shed some useless layers of management/bureaucracy

 

 Saturn is owned by GM...

But the others don't have the union contract obligations that the Big 3 does. The health care and pension obligations are really killing them. I read somewhere that the workers are costing (with all the benefits) around $73/hr.

 Edit: One of their arguments is that the $25 billion loan will get them through until 2010 when the new, reduced union contract will kick in saving them billions a year.

I don't believe in a bail out for the anyone! It has been proven that the people given the money, have been,  dare I say, IRRESPONSIBLE! Who'd have thunk it! They drive the company into dire straits, receive a governement hand-out and then spend it on vacations and bonuses. Give aid to responsible tax-payers, or give mortgage aid to Everyone, not just the idiots who took out interest-only loans.  It's the "little people" who keep this country afloat.  The government should do something for us.

Write your congressmen...emails can be found on the internet.

The biggest issue with the car companies is the contract manufacturers that rely on their business. And not just the big 3 but all the models made in the US.

Agree the biggest problem is outsourcing. Am also encouraged by the recent trend in Union negotiations to include stopping the outsourcing of jobs.

The union is still viable as a way to protect US manufacturing jobs. In fact I think that will be it's driving agenda these next few years.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car? Yep. 2007 Jeep Patriot

Question 2: If you do own an American Car, what made you choose an American Car over it's competitors? I live in Detroit and have family ties to Chrysler....it was just always that way.

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car? Probably just a new Jeep but if those didn't exist, I would be open to all brands

Question 5: Why/Why Would you NOT buy American right now?

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

I'm a former auto worker but I think that the bailout shouldn't go through unless there are some serious strings attached. If you or I wanted a business loan, we would have to prove ourselves to be a good investment. Sadly, these companies need to change things up. Hate to say it, but union contracts need re-negotiating and they need to re-organize first.

Original Post by rachd:

Original Post by nomoreexcuses:

and yet Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Saturn - all manage to build cars in the U.S.

so obviously it can be done

I think they may need to shed some useless layers of management/bureaucracy 

 Saturn is owned by GM...

But the others don't have the union contract obligations that the Big 3 does. The health care and pension obligations are really killing them. I read somewhere that the workers are costing (with all the benefits) around $73/hr.

The labor costs of the manufacturing employees are not what has caused GM's downfall. The management decisions over the past 30 years has caused GM's downfall. I worked for two automotive parts suppliers since 1998. One was union, one was not. The wages and benefits for both were comparable for the manufacturing employees. The non-union shop did not have outrageous perks and benefits for their CEO's and other top management.

Question 1: Do you own an American Car?  No, I drive a Honda CRV

Question 3: If you do NOT own an American Car, why did you choose the car you chose over an American Car?

Price, gas milage, safety, dependability.. but for the record, I would have preferred to buy American and sometimes feel guilty that I didn't.. but I want/expect better standards darn it!

Question 4: Would you buy an American Car right now, assuming you had the money and need for a new car?  If I could find a 1986 Camero in mint condition I would!

Question 6: If you wouldn't buy American right now, what changes do you think American Cars would need to take before you WOULD buy American?

They need to be more dependable, lower the cost, get better gas milage. They need to step it up a notch!