Auto bailout team no fans of American cars

You’d think that Detroit could build cars if not as good as the Japanese and Germans then at least cheaper, but the Unions took care of that, and quality went out the window long, long ago. Some US designs are actually quite good, from the F-150 to the rather awesome (on paper) Cadillac CTS-V “Cadzilla.” But for roughly the same prices you can buy foreign equivalents that are at least as well thought-out (and usually better), and also adhere to higher standards of workmanship (even when they’re assembled here in the States with non-Union workers).

(As a footnote, Ford is on the right track with bringing its Euro-spec Fiesta to the states next year, a rather nicely-designed car that’s getting a fair share of buzz–however, its planned Mexican manufacturing is a tad worrisome. That should keep the production costs down, but when there are Honda Fits actually built in Japan available in the same “sporty” sub-compact class, is a grand or two more not worth the peace of mind?)

Simply put, the fact that the “Auto Bailout Team” drive imports is evidence that, if nothing else, they aren’t idiots. They don’t waste their own money on Detroit crap, and if they can pressure Detroit and the Unions to make cars that they themselves would want–i.e., with European or Japanese design smarts and/or Japanese quality–they’re at least on the right track (political questions aside).

Unfortunately, that would necessitate playing hardball with the UAW. And somehow I suspect that isn’t part of the “Hope and Change” agenda.

Blacklake on February 23, 2009 at 3:28 PM

I love my Acura. Although the sticker on the door-jamb says it was made in Ohio, weird.

Meric1837 on February 23, 2009 at 3:14 PM

Lots of “imports” are made domestically. But they’re assembled by non-Union workers using modern European and Japanese management and production models. Those are the real innovations that enhance quality and lower production costs, and they’re precisely the kind of things that the UAW fight against.

Blacklake on February 23, 2009 at 3:34 PM

It’s not a big jump to consider Mazda to be an (almost) domestic manufacturer…

ExSubNuke on February 23, 2009 at 3:32 PM

Domestically owned, but free of UAW management shackles, since they manufacture primarily in Japan, and their management techniques remain Japanese. That’s the critical difference–not which nationality owns it, or even where assembly takes place, but how manufacturing (and design) is run.

Blacklake on February 23, 2009 at 3:36 PM

From what I hear the Big 3 have fixed the quality problem, but they need to fix the price problem before they can be a competitor again.

txaggie on February 23, 2009 at 4:20 PM

I haven’t heard that. In terms of reliability and build quality Ford seems to be the best, but it’s still no match for Toyota, Honda, or Nissan. Most of the German marks (with the exception of Porsche) are generally less reliable than the Japanese, but in terms of engineering, performance, design and appointments they still tend to be a better value than American counterparts in the same classes and price ranges (and drive rings around most of their Japanese rivals).

I had the misfortune of driving a Dodge Calibre while my S4 was in the shop during the summer, and was amazed that, aside from the fact that steering wheel felt like a hollow piece of chincey plastic, it somehow managed to make itself feel like a much bigger car than it actually is. That’s quite a grotesque achievement. You’d never have that kind of experience in a Toyota.

Blacklake on February 23, 2009 at 4:40 PM

When the press dug up the fact that Joe the Plumber was neither Joe, nor a plumber but that he was not in arrears with his child support payment, that was a Gestapo-like invasion of his privacy. Yet now you guys think nothing about digging up what kind of cars Geithner has and where they are registered. Double standards?

factoid on February 23, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Joe isn’t a public official granted enormous power to affect the long-term prospects of the American economy. If, for instance, he had been named to a high-level administrative position as Plumbing Czar you might have a point. But he was just some shmoe on the street asking a question during a political campaign. I believe you understand the difference. It’s not appropriate to vet every citizen who happens upon a rolling news camera. It is important to vet individuals who are granted sweeping federal powers.

Blacklake on February 23, 2009 at 4:47 PM