6th Mar 2011, 15:37
Where are "virtually all auto reviews" picking domestics as better? Every article I have read in the past few weeks is in favor of imports. There was a best buy list, and all but two on it were imports. The only domestics on the list were the awesome Ford Mustang, which has no direct foreign competition, and the Chevy Avalanche, which again has no real competition in its class. There was also a "best resale value" list, and all were imports. Quality surveys all in favor of imports. J.D. Powers ranks imports higher overall. Really, I have not seen any source that claims domestics are better than imports. Please quote which articles you have seen this information in, so I can read about it.
USA Today ranks a Dodge as the best minivan? Dodge has not had any vehicle on top of any quality list for many years, other than the Hemi powered cars like the Challenger and Charger. The Caravan has not really changed much over the past few years, so how did it suddenly shoot to the top of the rankings? The Toyota Sienna was just listed on the best buy top ten list I mentioned.
The reality of it is that you can find sources that tell you what you want to hear about any manufacturer. The facts I have witnessed in my own experiences, and with friends and family over the past 30 years, is that imports are generally much better and much less prone to unscheduled repairs. That tells me a lot more than any survey ever will. When survey companies offer to pay up for my ridiculous repair bills on domestic cars, then maybe I'll take their advice more seriously.
And three months of sales domination compared to almost 30 years of domination by imports is hardly cause for celebration.
7th Mar 2011, 22:57
Wow, a whole three months. Toyota is the number one automaker in the world, and they build cars in the U.S. too. They have been for a long time. Also, it's more like a big boost to the Mexican economy, because that's where Ford loves to have its cars made.
GM, otherwise known as Government Motors, is so lucky. They get a free ride from the Government. Show me any other capitalist company that can screw up for over 25 years, and lose BILLIONS, and still be in business.
6th Mar 2011, 14:48
Yeah, right. There's just as much evidence to state the opposite. Consumer Reports clearly states top automakers are Asian. I don't care what anybody says, Ford, GM, and Chrysler/Fiat or or whichever company is trying to save them these days, have NEVER made good small vehicles. They've either ignored it, or outsourced it. Many of their larger vehicles have been awful, too. The Mercury Mystique was commonly referred to as Mercury Mistake. Maybe that's why Mercury is gone, as Chrysler without companies saving them would be. Daimler got out while they could. Fiat was foolish enough to jump in.
Furthermore, Ford has a problem with screwing up their new models. It sure takes them a long time to get it right. SIX years for the glitch-ridden Focus and all its recalls. Someone else stated they thought it was actually the Contour that set a record for recalls. I wouldn't doubt it. Also, why have people forgotten GM went bankrupt? Do bankrupt companies always have the best product? Last time I checked, the answer is no.
People can claim brainwashing, or ad-hyping, all they want, but it's the truth. Also, someone please, please, provide an example or clarify this 'ad-hype, or brainwashing.' ALL companies who do advertising claim they have the best product. J.D. power and Consumer reports are supposed to be impartial. The info. is supposed to come from consumers, actual people who drive the cars. I drive a Toyota and I am NOT brainwashed, nor am I some patsy who fell for 'ad hype.'
My comment on 'purely on opinion' was in response to someone who seemed upset that people didn't immediately agree with his or her statement, 'no one is better than GM or Ford!!!' There was nothing underneath this comment to back it up. Therefore, it's an opinion, nothing more. The commenter even stated, 'that's my opinion'!!!