Why Detroit's Cars Are Outshining Japan's

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"It has never mattered to me that thirty million people might think I'm wrong. The number of people who thought Hitler was right did not make him right... Why do you necessarily have to be wrong just because a few million people think you are?" - Frank Zappa

Brian of NY 6:41AM February 19, 2012

Mary,
It appears you are holding a grudge. Many of our military drive import cars including many from Japan. People should without reservation be able to purchase the best product for the money. This makes the competion stronger or go bankrupt. Oh wait a minute they did go bankrupt, but are hopefully learning you cant pay a guy to put part a on part b a higher wage then what is paid a nurse to care for peoples life!

of 6:05PM June 08, 2011

Obviously Ford has done well with the Mustang, and the Camaro seems to be raising eyebrows, but what about the Dodge Challeneger??? Of course, Chrysler doesn't do themselves any favors by barely advertising the car....

DAVITO of PA 9:14AM December 20, 2010

You cite a small car ranking that puts the Ford Fiesta as number 1, (based as stated, in large part on European spec vehicles), and the Cruze as ranked 6th. The problem with this ranking is that the Cruze is averaged on only 2 categories, and its overall safety and reliability rankings (which should be high), are not factored in. In fact, if you only compared the Cruze to the other vehicles based on the categories on which the Cruze was scored, it would rank second to the European speced Fiesta.

Biff of NC 12:37PM October 28, 2010

I would not buy ever a Japanese car; I remember Pearl Harbor and what they did to our military. It was a sneak attack and I do not want to be near sneaks. They killed too many of our military; we did nothing to Japan but they wanted to conquer us and caused WWII. You youngsters out there driving these cars need to read your history.

Mary Meakin of FL 1:47PM October 25, 2010

Bought my Chevy Avalanche new in 2004, still runs wonderfully, get good mileage and I feel safe in it. Haven't traded this in because GM changed the Avalanche outward appearance and did away with the cladding that I love. Also, new colors are blah; I would consider buying another Avalanche if I could find one in Inferno orange or yellow with cladding and the 40/20/40 front cloth seat; do not like leather or a console next to me. Most owners of Avalanches hold on to them for a long time and so am I. I DO NOT WANT A TINY CAR
where it feels like I am sitting on the ground while driving. Too cramped in those cars; too small and hard to get in and out of.

Mary Meakin of FL 1:41PM October 25, 2010

Boy this article is kind to Detroit.
We rented two cars recently, a Chrysler and a Nissan.
The Nissan was taught and smooth, like a precision watch.
The Chrysler was a piece of junk.
I would never buy a GM or Chrysler product on principle alone. They drove themselves to bankruptcy, prompting Nobama to take MY money to prevent a collapse.
As for Ford, they are doing better than the other two, but that's not saying much.
Honda and Toyota are a moving target. As has been pointed out before, it'll take more than retro muscle cars to beat them.

Neil of GA 10:55PM October 13, 2010

American cars are still too expensive. The Volt is tragically over priced and will fall flat on it's face. The Nissan Leaf makes much more sense at $32,850 versus $41,500 for the Volt. When you consider all the car companies claim the battery is the most expensive component -- then why is the Leaf $9000 less than the Volt when the battery on the Leaf is 2.5 times bigger (in terms of range 100 miles versus 40 miles in electric mode)???
Got an answer for that one GM???

wowlfe of CO 10:34PM October 08, 2010

I own 2 Honda cars but my latest purchase was a 2009 F-150…The nicest pick up I have ever owned…Before you buy another car, make an appointment with your local Ford dealership (preferably the top salesman or fleet manager) And take a look...You will be impressed by the Ford 2010 cars & pick ups….

Pappy of CA 5:26PM October 08, 2010

So although I have mostly owned Toyota's and Honda's. I have had a Dodge a Ford and a GM product. None of which were really exciting cars. Japan concentrated a lot of reliability for a long time. I think now cars have become somewhat cookie cutter by design. They try to build cars that are fuel efficient and their designs end up very similar. I think in general its too late for any of the big three to be really big anymore.
They are on the right track to make less models but concentrate more on the design of those models. It also allows for more frequent refreshes. I think competition is fierce in the automotive industry and lean and mean is in. What will save Detroit is not muscle cars and flash. It will be mass produced popular family machines that they can sell a lot of. That's what Honda and Toyota did in the first place.

John S of IL 5:01PM October 08, 2010