We could well be nearing the end of any "American" automobile manufacturing period. As it is, many/most of the components are are shipped from overseas to be assembled here anyway. Got Rice!
Quote from: wm link on December 09, 2007, 02:31:13 PMWe could well be nearing the end of any "American" automobile manufacturing period. As it is, many/most of the components are are shipped from overseas to be assembled here anyway. Got Rice!It has been my feeling for quite some time, that the entire automobile "scenario", as most of us knew it, is greatly changing and just a mere ghost of what it used to be.-Cars don't hold the same desirability of young people today as they did for us "back when". Sure teenagers still want cars, but mostly trucks today, but to them its "just a car". They are more preoccupied with the sound system the car/truck has.-The days of the "shade tree mechanic" has been gone for some quite time. Other then change the oil, there's really not much the average person can do to maintain their car themselves.-The excitement of fall when the new models traditionally came out, is gone. Actually this is a plus for buyers, as most times the manufacturers don't put cars on the marketplace until they feel they are ready, rather then meeting a deadline.-We have reached a point when people that have imported cars, don't say "I have an import". A Toyota is given the same consideration as a Chevy or Ford.-One area that I think is somewhat remaining stable, is the car "hobby". I still see an interest in older cars by younger people. Of course their interest is of cars that go back to the 60's, and not too much beyond that. Of course a car from the 60's is still at least 40 years old...where did the time go?
Johnny F, your thoughtful comments are on-point. There are so many factors at work eroding the American's love of their cars--from the increasing homogenousness of the brands/models and their performance capabilities, the increased costs of ownership, the greater technological complexity, the greater safety requirements and other such rather adverse influences. In fact, even though I have a 2008 car, it makes me appreciate my 1971 model all the more! New cars are now, for the most part, viewed as "disposable" by many consumers. Many of the characteristics long associated with the Cadillac brand are being replaced by other characteristics. It will be interesting to observe how consumers accept the "new direction." There are more challenges than ever for Cadillac's product planners.
It's also very possible to buy a Toyota, Nissan, Mazda or Honda that's assembled here, and a Chevy that's assembled in Mexico.
What makes a Cadillac really stand out anymore when a Hyundai Elantra comes with power everything, a cushy ride, satellite radio, really comfortable seats, gobs and gobs of refinement, and outstanding quality backed by a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty?They should have built the Sixteen if they want to stand out as the Standard of the World.
QuoteWhat makes a Cadillac really stand out anymore when a Hyundai Elantra comes with power everything, a cushy ride, satellite radio, really comfortable seats, gobs and gobs of refinement, and outstanding quality backed by a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty?They should have built the Sixteen if they want to stand out as the Standard of the World. The way I see it, the factor that most makes a car stand out is it's name and reputation, something that Cadillac reigned supreme for many decades, until they started to rest on their past glories, sometime around the mid 80's, and its been an uphill battle ever since for them.http://
Unfortunately Cadillac is much like many others in today's marketplace. The people in the " ivory towers" make all the decisions based upon their research and ideas. Few if any of them have spent any period of time in the real world and don't really care about individual's concerns. Consumers are supposed to gladly embrace the companies new ideas and forget about what they really want or feel that they need. Where are all the funeral cars and hearses to come from, a CTS??? What about your larger individuals who cannot easily enter or exit the smaller cars with their smaller doors??? What about the elderly who are not agile enough to "fold up" to get into the smaller cars??? What about some people who don"t want to drive a car that looks like a "rice-burner-clone" I thank God that I was born in a day when we still anticipated the new car arrivals, when you could drive down the road and spot a Cadillac by its lines and styling, when you could order a car optioned the way you wanted it(not predetermined option packages). What we need is a way to make the voice of the consumer heard . Any ideas?
http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0227-20.htm
The solution to this problem is for Americans to start buying American made products again - exclusively. How many toys made in China have been recalled for lead paint? I won't buy a Toyota or a Honda if I can possibly avoid it. I did buy a used Honda motorcycle and a new Yamaha sportbike in the past six years - but there are no American made alternatives to motorcycles. Cars, now - that's another story...
Uh, is that company called Harley Davidson still in business and don't that make some motorcyles?
Perhaps he meant sport/off-road bikes.
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