American automakers....doomed???

sajo · 3rd June 2005, 08:30

It has been coming for some time now....American automakers are in deep s***. They have been consistently losing market share to Asian automakers(read Japanese and Korean to some extent) for too long now, and I doubt if the trend is reversible.The only area now that Americans still dominate is in the pickup truck segment, but with the launch of Japanese trucks like the Nissan Titan,
the Japanese have proved that they can beat them comprehensively in that segment too. Besides there is the Ridgeline from Honda and Tundra from Toyota,both of which are selling decently.There is not a single segment now that the Americans make better vehicles than the Japanese. Chrysler has enjoyed
some degree of success with models like the new 300, but that has more to do with its alliance with Mercedes Benz,IMO. And what was GM's answer to the rear wheel drive full size Chrysler? The Impala LTZ, which is actually the FWD Impala with a 5.3L 300hp V8. Whoever thought of 300hp AND front wheel drive..??
It is that kinda thinking,IMHO, which has dragged the Americans down. But what saddens me is the fact that both GM and Ford can make good cars, as we know from the resurgent Cadillac and Ford Europe... Question is, can the American automakers stop the Japanese? Or are they forever going to remain sick and on
the brink of bankruptcy,like some of our PSUs?

Vulken Auto · 3rd June 2005, 08:45

the issue was discussed in some thread, Again saying; please look into the history of american automotive industry from 1950 s and comment. its just a ripple in the lake abt the present situation the 3 big Bs are facing.

islero · 3rd June 2005, 09:35

Well, Merc collaborated with Chrysler, and almost completley ignored their interests, Ford is making some the biggest losses in its history . Only GM is sort of managing in these hard times for the Americans. Their cars just do not measure up with the more technologically advanced european and japanese cars.

Abhay · 3rd June 2005, 12:56

Just today in the Business page of TOI is this article saying how GM and Ford lost a lot of money/sales in the last year....All Asian car makers and even DC to an extent made money.

3rd June 2005, 08:30	#1
sajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,625 Thanked: 1,153 Times	American automakers....doomed??? It has been coming for some time now....American automakers are in deep s**. They have been consistently losing market share to Asian automakers(read Japanese and Korean to some extent) for too long now, and I doubt if the trend is reversible.The only area now that Americans still dominate is in the pickup truck segment, but with the launch of Japanese trucks like the Nissan Titan, the Japanese have proved that they can beat them comprehensively in that segment too. Besides there is the Ridgeline from Honda and Tundra from Toyota,both of which are selling decently.There is not a single segment now that the Americans make better vehicles than the Japanese. Chrysler has enjoyed some degree of success with models like the new 300, but that has more to do with its alliance with Mercedes Benz,IMO. And what was GM's answer to the rear wheel drive full size Chrysler? The Impala LTZ, which is actually the FWD Impala with a 5.3L 300hp V8. Whoever thought of 300hp AND front wheel drive..?? It is that kinda thinking,IMHO, which has dragged the Americans down. But what saddens me is the fact that both GM and Ford can make good cars, as we know from the resurgent Cadillac and Ford Europe... Question is, can the American automakers stop the Japanese? Or are they forever going to remain sick and on the brink of bankruptcy,like some of our PSUs? Last edited by sajo : 3rd June 2005 at 08:31.*
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3rd June 2005, 08:45	#2
Vulken Auto BHPian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: . Posts: 545 Thanked: 263 Times	the issue was discussed in some thread, Again saying; please look into the history of american automotive industry from 1950 s and comment. its just a ripple in the lake abt the present situation the 3 big Bs are facing.
	() Thanks

3rd June 2005, 09:35	#3
islero Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,574 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	Well, Merc collaborated with Chrysler, and almost completley ignored their interests, Ford is making some the biggest losses in its history . Only GM is sort of managing in these hard times for the Americans. Their cars just do not measure up with the more technologically advanced european and japanese cars.
	() Thanks

3rd June 2005, 12:56	#4
Abhay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 727 Thanked: 11 Times	Just today in the Business page of TOI is this article saying how GM and Ford lost a lot of money/sales in the last year....All Asian car makers and even DC to an extent made money.
	() Thanks