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leaders??
This CAFÉ metric is a very poor measure for a company's ability to make a fuel efficient vehicle. Underneath the big headlines, the article does point out that both of these companies do not sell Trucks or SUVs. Well it actually states it in a negative way for the American companies. "Detroit's Big Three, which sell proportionally larger trucks and SUVs than foreign competitors, were at the bottom of the tally."
What is unfortunate is that many buyers looking for a vehicle with good mileage will only go to these two manufactures now. The CAFÉ metric should be by vehicle class / segment. Doing this by average vehicle is ridiculous.
Here is something worthy of print that you won't see in the press:
2010 Ford Focus Gas 5 spd manual 35 Hwy
Pass volume 93 cubic feet / Luggage volume 14 cubic feet
2010 Honda Civic Gas 5 spd manual 34 Hwy
Pass volume 91 cubic feet / Luggage volume 12 cubic feet
2010 Hyundai Compact Accent 34 Hwy
Pass volume 92 cubic feet / Luggage volume 12 cubic feet
Honda and Hyundai are smaller but with worse Hwy mileage.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Ford to invest $2.3B in Brazil plant
Dennis P,
In your opinion which company has a bigger presence in Europe, Ford or GM? Just curious. Or who has the better product? Thanks
Ford to invest $2.3B in Brazil plant
wonder if this will help any of my wife's family down there? very interesting array of fuel efficient makes/models down there we don't have here - saw the same while stationed/living in Europe. never got why they didn't market those vehicles here, instead of the gas-hog tanks/SUV's?!?!
Ford investing $2.3 B in Brazil!!!
Check out this post at the bottom by Reedman...
Great thing about this is the JOBS are staying in the USA. And it looks like another example of manufacturing fleeing the North to avoid the Unions? Oh well, at least the jobs did not go to Mexico or South America? Oh btw the way...Hats off to the UAW Ford folks who recently voted down concessions, you probably voted yourself and other Americans right of jobs? Happy now?
Story as relayed by Reedman...
Boeing broke ground today for a new $750 million plant for the 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston, South Carolina. The location was chosen both because of financial incentives offered, as well as the availability of a non-union workforce. In September, a small Boeing plant already operating in SC voted to decertify the American Machinists and Aerospace Worker union. The plant construction will involve about 2000 jobs, and about 3800 jobs will result from operation of the plant.
Ford investing $2.3 B in Brazil!!!
The question is "Why there and not here"": The answer is simple: "The UAW vote of 2-3 weeks ago made this decision an easy one for Ford management"; They will invest where they can be most profitable (other than the promises made to the Louisville Plant only because that is Gettlefinger's home base!!!) The UAW workforce will continue to shrink over time while the auto manufacturers will expand in other countries where their costs are much lower!! I will never understand why the UAW does not grasp this most basic fact!!!!!! I guess all they care about is their CURRENT membership-they certainly do not worry about future generations!!
Under the Hood
GMzip,
I am not sure where 69 is going with this but yes there were versions of this in the US and Europe? I do believe 69 already knows' the answer? And we all thought the infamous "suicide doors" were odd? Just found your post but I have to run and will be right back. I always liked the old roadsters with the "rumble seat"...now that was cool but unfortunately before my time and definitely before "launch me out of the back seat Nader". Nader would have had a ball with that one after singlehandedly destroying the Corvair?
Runaway Toyotas
Here's some information...ONE death? I don;t think so!
Owners of Toyota Cars in Rebellion Over Series of Accidents Caused by Sudden Acceleration
ABC News Investigation Uncovers Reports of 16 Deaths, Over 200 Accidents; Toyota.....
Here's a link.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/RunawayToyotas/
Toyota's image under scrutiny
carnut "In the case of the Toyota, there seems to be only one tragic case of death" - WRONG! Do a little more research.
New Manufacturing Plant
Boeing broke ground today for a new $750 million plant for the 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston, South Carolina. The location was chosen both because of financial incentives offered, as well as the availability of a non-union workforce. In September, a small Boeing plant already operating in SC voted to decertify the American Machinists and Aerospace Worker union. The plant construction will involve about 2000 jobs, and about 3800 jobs will result from operation of the plant.
Toyota's image under scrutiny
gtessex wrote:
"Bottom line: I'd purchase another Milan (Fusion) in a heartbeat because IMHO, these vehicles are best in class."
They are a nice car. I went to carcomplaints.com to see if there were any problems and there were very few. I was surprised though when I went to the Most Problematic Vehicles.Check out the 2008 Honda Accord. #2 on the list.
http://www.carcomplaints.com/top_vehicles.shtml
Toyota's image under scrutiny
"Keep America strong,Buy American!!"
Zonedout states:
"Well, I like the Ford Fusion but it's assembled in Mexico at the Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly plant: Also uses the Mazda CD3 platform designed in Japan. Oh dear. What to do."
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I own a 2008 Mercury Milan assembled in Mexico. I am not that crazy myself the vehicle was assembled there. However, I know that many 'pieces parts' put into that vehicle were produced in the USA. Therefore, I don't feel that guilty for purchasing the vehicle.
The Mazda CD3 platform was heavily modified (at great expense) by Ford to suit each individual model which uses the CD3 platform.
Bottom line: I'd purchase another Milan (Fusion) in a heartbeat because IMHO, these vehicles are best in class.
toyota image
redesigning the gas pedal is really rediculous.the chev impala has a hook on the floor,and then the floormat locks onto the hook.the mat cannot move.
management failed
Management failed because thet did'nt manage the unions. The labor relations management in particular. The unions had no interest in the success of the companies. I believe if Walter Ruther was around, none of the union glut would have happened. Hw wanted to provide for the workers, but would have had an interest in the companies being successful.
Toyota's image under scrutiny
Carnut,
A few of your comments seem to indicate that Japanese auto makers have secluded technology as compared to United States automakers.
Shift by wire is not a new technology. In fact, this has been around for years (at least since the late 1980's). Also, some if not all transmissions have the shift by wire system as well. In addition, the transmission lock out feature (must have foot on brake to shift out of park) has been on vehicles as well. I know this as a fact since; I was working on this technology early in my career. I was employed at a United States auto supplier working on this "technology" for American automakers.
You are entitled to your opinions for your Japanese cars. However, I have heard stories on all brands. Toyota's and Honda's out near San Francisco and the desert areas of California and Nevada "burning up transmissions" (why such a secret?). While I have seen and heard of American cars still going strong with well over 120,000 miles on them with original engines and transmissions.
I for one still work as a engineer where I design parts and my company manufactures car parts to the United States automakers and very little to Japanese automakers (they prefer Japanese suppliers that have offices here in the United States and headquarters in Japan along with the profits). I for one will continue to purchase American cars where, my money stays in the United States.
management failed
Instead of blaming the unions and the customers, it is about time that we recognized that management made poor decisions. Failed executives from other fields came to ruin the company. Shareholders were cut out of the process. CEO's were rewarded for their mistakes. The government had to step in because of the HUGE social consequences to us all. To suggest that that action resulted in worst results ignores where things were headed.
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