A few notable pieces to the story to go over:
1) I completely agree with the statement that there are too many models that share too much for the American automakers to really turn a profit. Although they have been guilty of platform sharing since the end of WWII, at least the cars were DIFFERENT. I could go on a rant about how stupid it is for every lineup at ever dealer to be exactly the same, but I will keep it short.
When GM offers five different versions of the same GMT360 platform SUV with little to separate the different models, there is a problem. The only things that separate the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Reineer, Saab 9-7X, and Isuzu Assender is a badge, a grille, the location of the ignition, and what engine comes standard... Why have so many SUVs that are so similar and then get upset when they cant move 9-7X's compared to Envoys?
2) I completely disagree with his comments about the DC LX cars. The 300 is a good sign that American automakers can still build American cars... But alas, being that they are based on German sedans, its all kind of lost in translation. But I think the car is a huge success, either way. It not only looks American, but acts like it too. Optioning any of the cars with the HEMI is the thing to do, and it really does make me think of the classic era that defined a generation of automobiles and made people like my Grandparents who they are today.
3) What the hell was Newsweek thinking when they printed: "If you want to get a really true perspective on what an American car should be, you need a non-American to design it." What the hell is that supposed to mean? If that is a symbol of where the American auto industry is going, were screwed...
4) The Corvette is a legend, whether the author wishes to acknowledge it or not. It not only is an icon in the US, but around the world. Although he claims that build quality only became "good" after 1997, I have a hard time believing all of his claims about past 'Vettes as I have driven them, and although they may feel crude by todays standards, in the context of that era they were magnificent. They truly are untouchable at the price, and still ranks in the number one spot in my book.
5) Ouch, the comments about NASCAR hurt... He claims that the manufactures take a back seat to the drivers, advertising, and various race and serious sponsors before any thoughts of an automaker comes through. As a die-hard NASCAR fan, I disagree. At one point in history (and even now) my hometown-hero driver Johnny Benson once raced for Ford and now for Toyota and it hurts. He once raced for our local Chevy dealer (Berger Chevrolet, some of you may have herd about their Camaros) and being that Chevrolet is the brand that I grew up around, it was perfect. But when he started racing for Ford at Rouch, it hurt. But the whole "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" idea is completely backwards. The Charger is the closest thing to a true "Stock Car," considering that the last time it was ever like that was in the late 1980's.
6) I also agree on the idea that the Pontiac GTO is the most underrated performance deal in the past few years. It offers Corvette performance for $20 grand less, and can still obtain 30MPG on the highway. Considering that it can also run down M3s and C55s at ease, I would still maintain that it is equally as impressive. Lets keep our fingers crossed that the '07 Zeta-based GTO will kick more ass than the original, and be a better successor to the '65-'67 than how the original represented the '64 Tempest GTO... BTW: The Mustang still kicks ass, and is the driving force behind the [Impossible[/I] American resurgence in the market.
7) He is also right when saying that American car companies are under the microscope more than any others throughout the world. They are still combating memories of cars like the Mustang II, Citation, and Chrysler K-cars... And although cars like the Cobalt and Fusion are among the best in their categories, they still get knocked down by minor issues like the grain of plastic on the dashboards. Since when has that stopped you from buying a car with a great engine and transmission that drives just as well as any German or Japanese car?
8) The death of DeLorean is rather sad. Although he was insane to say the least, he got the job done. As the father of the Pontiac Tempest GTO, we owe much of the American automobile's identity to one man...
9) It truly is Ford's fault for driving the Taurus into the ground. In its heyday back in the late 1980's it kicked ass. It outsold the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord because it was priced competitively and performed competitively when compared to the other two. It was Ford's lack of direction and the overall uninspired drive to revamp the car each cycle that killed it. Once again, it proved that American automakers at one point felt they were invincible, and it proves that innovation is what drives the industry...
10) Unfortunately it is the Asian and European automakers that are propping up Detroit and the surrounding areas with jobs and investments in plants and development centers. Hell, living in Michigan, I already know that our Governor is begging Toyota to build a plant on the Westside of Michigan, near my hometown... I would love to see one come here, but I would much rather have it be a GM or Ford plant that that of Toyota. Its kind of like when Stalin signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler, and then it backfired...
11) Comments about Toyota forcing GM and Ford out of business and creating a nationalistic sentiment in the US is completely well founded, epically here in Michigan. If we Michiganders, or even Americans in general, were to loose two of the largest economic foundations this country has ever seen, the effects would be devastating to say the least... And it is completely rational to say that the blame would fall solely on Toyota and Honda, not the American dim-wits who drove the companies into the ground...
12) Hes right when he criticizes Daimler Chrysler and their comments pertaining to the death of the sports coupe in the US. If there is any evidence to suggest that, Id love to see proof... But when you have the Mustang GT selling so fast Ford had to say "No More!", and the outcry for a true two-door Charger or Challenger so loud that DC decided to give in, there is still hope that American car buyers have some influence on the industry... Let us pray that GM gets their crap together at puts out a good Camaro concept this year at Detroit... The car has been gone too long, and with nothing to fill the void, its time to bring back the old standard...
13) GM is turning around. Of the three American automakers, they have done the best at appealing not only to American buyers, but also to European, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Australian customers as well. As GM "turns their workers loose" they are more likely to find out what went wrong, and possibly build that car that the American industry has needed since 1973.
14) Scion is and will continue to be a surprise company. Sales were much larger than anticipated really by anyone, and are one of the first companies in my life that I have seen come so close to matching what their customers want. They have been so successful that even Nissan is jumping on the Scion wagon, reportedly creating their own "Youth Brand" with sub-Sentra models to debut sometime soon. I continue to cross my fingers that they are imported Renaults! PLZ!!!
15) The dude is completely right again when he points out the fact that GM does nothing to promote the Corvette Racing success over the past few years. Although there was a special edition C5 Z06 and some early advertisements for the C6 Z06 with the C6R racecar, there still is little appreciation for the racecars and the success they have had. Although we do live in a NASCAR dominated country, there is no excuse why people shouldnt know about the cars success around the world.
16) Pontiac has indeed lost its soul. Its kind of still an edgier Chevrolet, but its not the wild one it used to be. Look at the Torrent. If that isnt a sign of where Pontiac stands today, I dont know what is... They are going to need a significant revamp if they are to continue on, and although GM does promise that their lineup will be cut down to sportier sedans and coupes, we will never forget the Aztec... Ever!
17) The Porsche Panamera is what the company needs, I dont care what the purists say... With it's two biggest enemies making oodles of cash with the Quattroporte and 612 Scallegeti, is it that bad for Porsche to revisit the idea of a four-seat, front engine sports car? The 928 wassent THAT bad...
18) The short quibble about VW finding its place in the American market is a bit strange. As a self-proclaimed VW fanatic, it is still pretty evident that it remains the educated-mans alternative to the Japanese and American small and midsize cars. They have come a long way from their hippie roots, and although raving liberals still drive the cars, they are for the man (or woman) who has taste and expects something better than "above average" that can be found in most Hondas and Acuras. Although their placement in the marketplace is somewhat confusing when compared with its Audi cousin, the cars are still some of the best in their respective segments. The Jetta is a gem, and the new Golf simply kicks ass. The Passat continues to be a trend-setter and a benchmark in its class. The Phaeton was a mistake, and it was due time to cancel it. The Touraeg was necessary, and continues to be a strong seller. However, the lack of a true coupe and a sports car does hurt my personal view of the company. The Eos is a step in the right direction, and the long-rumored Corrado follow-up is what the brand needs to get in touch with long-long VW fans once again... Adding to VW problems, their partnership with DC to build the VW Eurovan replacement is a HUGE mistake. Hell, VW deciding not to build the Microbus concept was a HUGE mistake... And they wonder why they are out of touch with the American market? VW says they are turning a corner, but it is hard to see one from this VW-guy's perspective... Overall I rate their current lineup at about an 8... They are great cars, but they are expensive... It will be hard for them to recapture the greatness that they once had in the '90s when the MKIII chassis and Corrado ruled...
20) Mini is a success because it is a Mini. The cars are small, economic, and fun to drive. No wonder there are six-month waiting lists in the US. But he is right; the severe lack of a dealer network is part of the problem. It would seem that any BMW dealer in the US could handle a few Minis, so why havent they done so yet? Expecting to sell more cars by introducing more models despite the factories which are running beyond capacity is insane. Fix the dealer problems, and then discuss economics...
21) The whole notion of "Ford vs Chevy" may indeed be dead, but in many parts of this country, it is what drives sales. At least in my family, I was born and raised to hate Ford and everything they build and sell in every part of the world... It was Chevrolet, and the rest of GM for that matter, that represented the good in the automotive world... Although my family originally was aligned mostly with Mopars, it was the '55 Chevrolet that lured my Grandfather away from the Plymouth and Chrysler dealers (with the exception of his '58 300D) up until now. I suppose it no longer matters because it comes down to the idea of "US vs Japan vs Germany" in todays automotive society... But with the upcoming battle between the Mustang, Challenger, and Camaro... Things may get interesting once again...
In conclusion:
The Autoextremist is completely right on most levels. 2006 is going to be a HUGE year for Detroit, and we are about to see the forecast for an entire industry starting late this year in Los Angeles before moving to Detroit, Chicago, and then New York.
He is right when saying that GM has the stuff to get out of its rut, but its going to be a hard fight. They need to cut down on the model sharing and have a better definition as to what each brand represents. Models like the C6 and Solstice are good signs as to what GM can do, and hopefully GM will have success with the new GMT900 trucks and SUVs, as well as continuing to pursue market share in the compact and midsize markets...
Ford received little flack for what they are doing outside of the Taurus and Lincoln blunders. Ford has had a lot of success with the Mustang, and the Fusion is looking to be a good replacement (or successor) to the Taurus that they have needed for years. Although they rely greatly upon Mazda and Volvo for a lot of their new vehicles, it is giving Ford a reasonable chance at selling cars in the US that are comparable to its foreign competitors.
If anything, Chrysler's criticisms were well written and well deserved by DC. Mercedes is falling apart, and the home-team models are suffering (outside of the 300). If there is one automaker to be worried about in 2006, it is DC. The Charger has been a bit of a disappointment, Jeep sales are falling, and the companies arent doing nearly as well as they should with many of the great products they sell. They are going to have to ride on the possible success of the new Caliber and Challenger for a bit. With no sign of must-have models in the near future, they only way left for DC to go is down the sales ladder.
VW continues to have problems, sure. But the Autoextremest is right that Peich is at the center of many of the problems the automaker faces today. VW is too closely related to Audi, and models such as the Continental and Gallarado draw too many Germanic ideas to really classify themselves as British or Italian products. The US market is due for a small change (I hope) with the introduction of the MKV Golf and the MKV-based Eos... I'm crossing my fingers for a Corrado replacement, and it may be what is needed to have VW America turn a profit once again.
2006 is going to be a big year, no doubt. Cant wait for the auto show circuit to start once again...
