25th Sep 2007, 20:38
10:41.
The "breaks" that the Japanese automakers receive, have nothing to do with the fact that they are located in areas where operating expenses are lower. Nice try. The Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio, to name one, was acquired (and functions) in exactly the manner described in 9:38. Yes, China is also engaging in the same trade practices as Japan, as are other Asian countries. That said, let me just say (and I should have said this in my previous post) that I have nothing against the Asian people, or their culture. To the contrary, I have a lot of respect for them as a people, and completely separate the actions of their government(s) from their citizens, who are just trying to get by like anyone else. In fact, I feel it is far more the fault of the US for letting ourselves be run roughshod over because we do not want to admit that our "free-trade" policies are an abysmal failure, then it is the Asian countries (although I do not like or agree with their practices) for just looking out for their interests.
The problems are caused by an absolutely ludicrous, and woefully self destructive political practice, which people who buy foreign products (particularly Japanese) keep enabling. With so many jobs leaving America (due to the absolutely stupid trade policies the US imposes on itself), states now go to Japan to try to attract Japanese companies and plants to come to their state. Since America, unlike almost all other industrialized countries, does not have any policies in place to regulate this, states end up getting played off against each other by Japanese companies and the Japanese government. Whichever state offers the most tax breaks, or contributes the most money to build the plant, is "awarded" the plant. While this may benefit the state in the short run (at least on the surface), and win elections, it is far worse for the state and the country in the long run.
The Japanese companies, in addition to having the extreme benefit of operating in plants built with the aid of taxpayer subsidies, also pay little or no taxes after the fact. With many states doing this to each other to "win" a few jobs, everyone winds up losing. The huge tax shortfall must be made up by placing more taxes on individuals, or pre-existing US businesses, who do not receive the benefits the Japanese companies are receiving, and the increased burden(s) to them come directly off their bottom line, while the savings are realized as profits to the Japanese companies.
The only people who are laughing all the way to the bank are the Japanese companies. How could they not be? The US government is completely stacking the deck against our own American companies. These problems facing the American auto industry are not as you shamelessly assert on this international forum, due the US not being able to complete in a free market economy. There is nothing "free" about it for US companies, only foreign companies operating in our markets. If you care about your country, you need to stand up and face reality. We can not sustain ourselves on inertia, and we definitely can not depend on politicians in Washington to figure out the situation and do what needs to be done. It is up to personal individuals to stand up and counteract the situation. If we lose the American auto industry, it will not be the joyful occasion that the Toyota faithful are anticipating.
25th Sep 2007, 21:57
"look at anything electronic in your house, computer, stereo, appliances, the list goes on... most of it is made in Japan, China, Taiwan"
Who invented these things? Not Japan, China, and/or Taiwan, but the US!! Japan, China, and/or China just come along later and steal the technology through disreputable business practices, and attempt to drive the American companies who invented the technologies out of business with predatorial trade schemes.
"for those of you who write in that Toyota quality is a 'myth'; give it up. The American public knows better."
Is that a fact? How then did American car manufacturers receive most of the top honor spots in JD Power and Associates quality surveys this year, which relies on responses from the American public? Why are there so many dissatisfied Toyota owners on this site questioning their allegiance to Toyota? Why does consumer affairs have a special category for Toyota engine failures, with thousands of entries from the public? Is this really your idea of a "gold standard" for quality you put it? Why shouldn't I think Toyota quality is a myth, when practically everybody I know who owns one has had one catastrophic problem after another, while my domestics have been virtually trouble free without exception?
I do not wish you any bad luck with your Tacoma, but my experiences simply do not correspond with yours in any way. Last I checked, it looks like there are roughly just as many people on this site that would probably agree with me, as they would you, so I do not think either of us can speak for the entire American public. But for the same reason, I do not think that stating Toyota quality is a myth, is such a fringe position. To the contrary, I might just as easily say it is the people who continue to think Toyota is beyond reproach no matter how many horrific quality mishaps they continue to have, that represent the extreme view.
25th Sep 2007, 17:23
Since this has drifted off full size trucks again for some unknown reason, I thought I might bring it back into focus.
When buying a full size truck it is not at all like buying a new car, or even a small pickup for that matter. My #1 priority on purchasing a full size truck is capability. The number one reason... not fuel economy or having a much lighter duty truck. Otherwise I could drive a small hatchback with a rope to tie down the lid, or pursue fuel savings going with a small truck instead of a larger one.
Even the Tundra is undersized in my situation. I want the strongest heavy duty model I can find... not a vehicle that spends most of its life empty or tooling down the interstate. A Tundra can simply not pull or haul what I bought a new full size truck for.
I see import car mentality applied about fuel economy, even 200,000 mile comments even if it takes a lot of transmissions and engine issues on late models to achieve that. If you go in a new showroom and are shopping for a new full size truck, I do not see using the smaller vehicle mentality to justify purchasing a large truck. It's not an mpg visit or how far mileage wise can my drivetrain go empty.
I have owned cars and small trucks, and changed my own criteria when shopping. My latest new full domestic truck has more carrying capacity, better towing which is a real must, more room, ride and warranty.
If you want to continue endlessly commenting on cars and small trucks, it seems like this isn't what owning a full size and its advantages and benefits are about. Clearly domestics offer a broader range of full size trucks, and it's easy to see why Ford F Series alone outsold Tundras over 7 times last year. I think it is time to learn what discerning Americans want in a full size truck.
I will continue to test drive new imports such as the Titan or Tundra, but they have to at least be equivalent in strength, capability as I have these minimum expections before many others to prompt purchasing one.