In response to flyers2114 and LobsterBoxed,
1. According to this same study, Lexus has had the no.1 spot for 14 YEARS. Toyota and Acura round out the top five, respectively. Also, Toyota owns Lexus. So I guess Japan can claim that for the last 14 years, they have had the highest rated brand in vehicle dependability, as well as holding the no.1, 4 and 5 spot on the list last year.
2. Volkswagens recall of over 1 million Beetles was due to a faulty brake light switch and for 58, 000 Passats it was for a fragile vacuum line. However, the report failed to make light of the massive recall of 3.6 million vehicles by FORD, citing a defective cruise control switch that could lead to fires.
3.There were 16 brands that were above the Industry average and 10 of those were foreign nameplates. 8 of the top 10 were foreign nameplates. The 6 domestic above the IA were Mercury(6), Ford(
,Cadillac(11), Chevrolet(12), Pontiac(14)Lincoln(15) and Bucik(16). GMC, Dodge, Chrysler, Saturn and Jeep were all below the average.
4.&5.The writer is correct about the Large and Misize sedan segments, but what about the Compact and Sub-compact segments, which I would bet have the highest rate of growth these days? Well then you get 2008 Honda Fit (Highest ranked Sub-Compact) and the 2008 Honda Civic (Highest ranked Compact).
6.American automakers took no.1 not only in the Midsize pickup segment, but also the Large pickup and Van segments as well.
7.While the Chevrolet Aveo is the least expensive vehicle to own, it is the only American vehicle in the top 10. As far the Toyota Prius goes, which is a hybrid and naturally is going to cost more to own because of the new technology, the Honda Civic Hybrid comes in ahead of it at no.14. So what about American Hybrids? Of the top 10 least expensive hybrids to own, the Chevrolet Malibu came in 4th (81st overall), Ford Escape Hybrid 5th (94th overall), Mercury Mariner 6th (102nd overall), Mercury Mariner AWD 8th (136th overall).
8. This qoute isn't endorsed by the LA Times, but is simply one persons perspective of the Cadillac CTS compared to others in its segment and is based solely on appearance and real French stitching.
9. Ok, here we are comparing the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid which gets 21 city mpg, the same as a 4 cylinder Toyota Camry Sedan (Non-Hybrid). While I applaud Chevys accomplishmnets, lets not compare apples to oranges. If it were a Toyota Camry Hybrid, I am sure it would be different. The Tahoe didn't defeat the "media darling" Prius, it wasn't even up for the award. In fact, I believe all of the nominees were SUV's.
10.Along with the Saturn Aura winning in 2007, American automakers have won 5 of the last 8 years in the North American Car of the Year. They have won the Truck of the Year 4 of the last 8 years.
11.He is accurate on this point.
12. According to the same article the OP refers to............"U.S. brands still dominate "Least Reliable" List". Also, only the V6 Camry, 4WD V8 Tundra and AWD Lexus GS were removed. The 4 cylinder and hybrid Camrys, as well as the RWD Lexus GS are still on the list. Consumer Reports also, up until this year, would automatically recommend new and redesigned Toyota models based solely on the automakers excellent track record, even if it didn't have sufficient reliability data on the new model. It also said that if Toyota returns to its previous record of OUTSTANDING OVERALL RELIABILITY, it may resume this automatic recommendation practice.
I realize that my post, as well as the posts I am replying to by flyers2114 and LobsterBoxed, have no place in this forum, I felt compelled to write because this whole post boasting about how we should rethink Detroit and Buy American is obviously missleading and was written by a guy who is afraid, and rightfully so, that he and many others might lose their jobs.
Also, just to be clear, I am not Pro-foreign and I agree that we should buy American. But at the same time, tell all these companies that want us to buy American, to do three things: Give us a product, that is truly made (not assembled) in the U.S, is of the highest quality and craftsmanship and at the most reasonable price. If the foreigners can do it, why can't the domestic automakers?
Moderators, if you feel this post should be deleted, feel free to, I completely understand. I just needed to get out my two cents worth as well.