# American Car Companies Shut Out by the Japanese **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [March 2, 2006, 10:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827 "2006-03-02T22:05:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JEG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeg/32/7246_2.png) [@JEG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JEG)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 7:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/41 "2006-03-03T19:21:48Z")
Ford 4 L ---
**Author:** ![89gtstang302](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/97f17d/32.png) [@89gtstang302](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/89gtstang302)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/42 "2006-03-03T20:16:56Z")
Its a global marketplace, there is no american cars anymore. You can buy a Pontiac GTO which is built in Australia, a Focus built in Mexico, a Freestar built in Canada. And each of those vehicles have parts in them that were made all over the world. The UAW is going down, no doubt about that. With the union Ford and GM have no chance… ---
**Author:** ![neurokinetik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neurokinetik/32/7270_2.png) [@neurokinetik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neurokinetik)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 10:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/43 "2006-03-03T22:00:30Z")
> [@AWDrifter](#): > > But don’t you think it comes down to design not assembly? > Are there a lot of assembly problems?:gotme: > > I think the Japanese design is what makes them number 1. Nope, the assembly process is vitally important, as well as the quality system used to enforce good manufacturing standards. If design was so important, then how come Mexican-built Nissans are inferior to the ones built in Japan? If the Japanese design is so superior, then why do my Nissan brake pads _require_ maintenance in the for of lubrication, or else they freeze in the caliper? None of my GM cars ever needed that. Just an example. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Sinister](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mr_sinister/32/7218_2.png) [@Mr\_Sinister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_Sinister)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 10:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/44 "2006-03-03T22:04:04Z")
By the way, I feel the need to stand up for GM, the import cars are charged a 2% tarriff on cars they import. Since that fee is so low and the US is taking care of their military costs the government subsidizes auto companies manking them even cheaper. While the Big 3 are struggling to keep enough vehicles moving out the door quality starts to decline. The workers are told “keep em movin” and quality problems are ignored. Years later the Japanesse car makers start building in the US, hiring workers that wish they were supported by the Union. Union workers are americans that try to support other american businesses. and by the way, ask them about wal-mart, they will swear for hours. While toyota is racing to become number one, theiir quality has been dropping, check JD Powers ratings, GM is ranked #1 in more categories than toyota. Toyota is making the same mistake, sacrificing quality for production, any questions? ---
**Author:** ![neurokinetik](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neurokinetik/32/7270_2.png) [@neurokinetik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neurokinetik)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/45 "2006-03-03T22:07:40Z")
> [@Mr. Sinister](#): > > While the Big 3 are struggling to keep enough vehicles moving out the door quality starts to decline. The workers are told “keep em movin” and quality problems are ignored. That’s exactly the mentality I was talking about, and I will say from my experience of working for an automotive supplier, that it is the primary reason why some brands have less problems than others. Some are willing to accept “risk” of a latent failure, while others will not tolerate it at all. The JD Powers ratings don’t mean a whole lot, IMO. They sent me a survey and I threw it out. How am I really going to judge a car after only a month of ownership? ---
**Author:** ![Adictd2b00st](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/adictd2b00st/32/7625_2.png) [@Adictd2b00st](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Adictd2b00st)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 10:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/46 "2006-03-03T22:09:42Z")
> [@Mr. Sinister](#): > > While toyota is racing to become number one, theiir quality has been dropping, check JD Powers ratings, GM is ranked #1 in more categories than toyota. Toyota is making the same mistake, sacrificing quality for production, any questions? i’ll beleive it when i see it… know several people with newer toyota’s including my parents, and none of them are having problems :gotme: ---
**Author:** ![adamantairman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@adamantairman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/adamantairman)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2006, 10:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/47 "2006-03-03T22:13:44Z")
[Why toyota is building it’s next plant in Ontario rather than the U.S.](http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/050630/b0630102.html) ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joe/32/7219_2.png) [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/48 "2006-03-04T02:21:15Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > Based on… ? Real abilities that a TRUCK was built for (towing, hauling shit, off-roading, etc.) There is absolutely no way that a car-based SUV-truck that is a shitty japanese ripoff of the avalanche wins truck of the year in an unbiased setting. The fact is, the avalanche, along with what i’d imagine the F150, silverado, and Ram, dominates the ridgeline in any PICKUP TRUCK comparison, (read, not gas mileage and reliability while under warranty and all the shit honda humpers bank on) and id like to see anyone dispute that. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/49 "2006-03-04T05:27:16Z")
> [@Mr. Sinister](#): > > By the way, I feel the need to stand up for GM, the import cars are charged a 2% tarriff on cars they import. Since that fee is so low and the US is taking care of their military costs the government subsidizes auto companies manking them even cheaper. While the Big 3 are struggling to keep enough vehicles moving out the door quality starts to decline. The workers are told “keep em movin” and quality problems are ignored. Years later the Japanesse car makers start building in the US, hiring workers that wish they were supported by the Union. > > Union workers are americans that try to support other american businesses. and by the way, ask them about wal-mart, they will swear for hours. While toyota is racing to become number one, theiir quality has been dropping, check JD Powers ratings, GM is ranked #1 in more categories than toyota. Toyota is making the same mistake, sacrificing quality for production, any questions? I just looked in the consumer reports and Toyota quality is the best. I have not heard or read anywhere that Toyota is anything less. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Sinister](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mr_sinister/32/7218_2.png) [@Mr\_Sinister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_Sinister)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 7:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/50 "2006-03-04T07:46:14Z")
> [@Adictd2b00st](#): > > i’ll beleive it when i see it… know several people with newer toyota’s including my parents, and none of them are having problems :gotme: It is a growing trend, I think Toyotas are still good vehicles, but they are declining in quality according to JD Powers. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Sinister](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mr_sinister/32/7218_2.png) [@Mr\_Sinister](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_Sinister)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 7:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/51 "2006-03-04T07:51:32Z")
> [@neurokinetik](#): > > That’s exactly the mentality I was talking about, and I will say from my experience of working for an automotive supplier, that it is the primary reason why some brands have less problems than others. Some are willing to accept “risk” of a latent failure, while others will not tolerate it at all. > > The JD Powers ratings don’t mean a whole lot, IMO. They sent me a survey and I threw it out. How am I really going to judge a car after only a month of ownership? Heres the difference between JD Powers and Consumer Reports, Consumer Reports relies directly upon reviews from individuals that often don’t feel like taking the time to fill out the survey, so you don’t really get a good base to judge upon. JD Powers has work stations in American plants where they look at the car, evaluate it, and even test it. Also the survey consumers for post-purchase opinions. I trust JD Powers a lot more because they’ve made a career out of evaluating all the cars quality aspects. Parts of the plant where I work are labeled as JD Powers quality station and they come in a couple times a month and look at a couple units then move to a different station. Its random, unplanned and honest. ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 8:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/52 "2006-03-04T08:04:05Z")
> [@Joe](#): > > … There is absolutely no way that a car-based SUV-truck that is a shitty japanese ripoff of the avalanche wins truck of the year in an unbiased setting… Everything and everyone is biased. But the fact remains that something like 80% of Americans choose their cars based on biased lists like this one. > [@Joe](#): > > T… the fact is, the avalanche, along with what i’d imagine the F150, silverado, and Ram, dominates the ridgeline in any PICKUP TRUCK comparison, (read, not gas mileage and reliability while under warranty and all the shit honda humpers bank on) and id like to see anyone dispute that. I won’t dispute it because I don’t care about trucks, but it seems that plenty of others have already done it; > [@Onyx Z32](#): > > … the Honda Ridgeline was voted Truck of the Year by both the North American International Auto Show and Truck Trend magazine. So if you would still > [@Joe](#): > > … like to see anyone dispute that… Go pick up an issue of Truck Trend or contact someone from the NAIAS and ask them why the truck won the top spot over everything else in both the magazine and at the Detroit Auto Show :tup: ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 8:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/53 "2006-03-04T08:31:33Z")
> [@Onyx Z32](#): > > Everything and everyone is biased. But the fact remains that something like 80% of Americans choose their cars based on biased lists like this one. > > I won’t dispute it because I don’t care about trucks, but it seems that plenty of others have already done it; > > So if you would still > > Go pick up an issue of Truck Trend or contact someone from the NAIAS and ask them why the truck won the top spot over everything else in both the magazine and at the Detroit Auto Show :tup: pwnt ---
**Author:** ![Choda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/choda/32/7347_2.png) [@Choda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Choda)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/54 "2006-03-04T08:47:11Z")
> [@Joe](#): > > Real abilities that a TRUCK was built for (towing, hauling shit, off-roading, etc.) There is absolutely no way that a car-based SUV-truck that is a shitty japanese ripoff of the avalanche wins truck of the year in an unbiased setting. The fact is, the avalanche, along with what i’d imagine the F150, silverado, and Ram, dominates the ridgeline in any PICKUP TRUCK comparison, (read, not gas mileage and reliability while under warranty and all the shit honda humpers bank on) and id like to see anyone dispute that. too bad its ugly as shit and the bed/storage setup is junk. quad cab, 8’ bed, 4x4 \> any other truck. ---
**Author:** ![d3x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8491ac/32.png) [@d3x](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/d3x)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2006, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/55 "2006-03-04T08:52:43Z")
most americans are not buying trucks these days to haul or tow shit. almost all trucks have been stripped of their ruggedness and turned into comfortable commuter vehicles. so to me its fitting that something like the ridgeline would take the top rank in this category. even the domestic companies are trying to turn their fleet into beefed up cars. with the electronic stability control to keep soccer moms from rolling em, shutting down cylinders while cruising to help with fuel economy, independant front suspensions to increase comfort, adding more room in the cab to haul kids rather than supplies, ect. honda did the smart thing and turned a car into a “truck” so it shares all the attributes of a car like americans are looking for but also fits the look of the trend americans are into. in my mind the truck died a long time ago. RIP. ---
**Author:** ![avs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f475e1/32.png) [@avs](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/avs)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 6:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827/56 "2006-03-06T06:44:52Z")
> [@BikerFry](#): > > Looks like Honduh wrote them the biggest check. I mean, come on. HONDA RIDGELINE IS THE BEST PICKUP??? What kind of homosexual panty waisted motherfuckers picked that?!?!?! It doesn’t even have a V8 option, can tow all of a whopping 5,000 pounds, and makes a whopping 245 ft-lbs!!! Even Dodge Dakotas and Toyota Tacomas make more torque than that. I’m sorry but that selection alone completely invalidates the entire list for me. How many people who drive pick up truck actually tow stuff with it ? Probaly like 10%. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/american-car-companies-shut-out-by-the-japanese/8827.md?page=2)