Ricers Taking Over

[Cuda340]

For the first time in history, the market share of the Detroit "big three" has dipped below 50%.

In the month of July, their market share was only 48.1%. GM sales dropped 22.3%, Ford declined 19.1%, and Chrysler fell 8.4%.

What happened? Detroit is producing a much better product than in years' past, but is still being beaten on its own home turf!

[Challenger09]

Unfortunately I think it is b/c a majority of Americans are seeking econo boxes. And unfortunately, I don't think the big three have marketed their cars very well in this market niche. I mean why are Hondas and Toyota Prisuses selling like hotcakes?? It ain't b/c they are fast or sexy.....

[Ragamuffin]

Originally Posted by Cuda340

For the first time in history, the market share of the Detroit "big three" has dipped below 50%.

In the month of July, their market share was only 48.1%. GM sales dropped 22.3%, Ford declined 19.1%, and Chrysler fell 8.4%.

What happened? Detroit is producing a much better product than in years' past, but is still being beaten on its own home turf!

Well, I think this or at least the root cause/reason for this has been discussed previously. I have stated &/or have opined about this : in which we are dealing with issues . One is the U.S vs. Japanese cultures ,values. America is based on Capitalism ; get a product out ASAP and worry about defects and poor quality and performance later.Our work ethic is also different than the Japanese,who seem to take their work personally and/or as a pride of the Japanese culture. America [seemed to have] had this " mind set " around the time the last Challenger's Rolled on Down the Highways [ heck that sounds like a BTO tune ! !!] and prior !!!...The Japanese are quality minded at least in this era between say the late 80's through present day ; yes it seems the big 3 may be catching up of late : but that may be up for discussion ????? Labor rates / costs and products too are lower over seas than here ..See, I somewhat witnessed this first hand. In the early -mid 70's, which I think was the early dawn of the Japanese auto migration , I worked at a nearby steel mill . On several occasions , I'd see a dozen or so Japanese in white coats getting a tour. We , America showed them how it was done. As most of you know, the Japanese are experts at copying a product , which used to be very inferior : but those days [ for the most part] are history. From autos to the vast electronic products most which score higher marks across the board for quality , durability ,etc ! In fact , when DCX merged with DC, I thought maybe that was good ,,knowing how German vehicles had a well built/ quality reputation ! Other issues though seemed to play a roll ! All this ,to me anyways, plays out like a most ironic twist of events . What I mean is that After the Japanese "ticked U.S. off " at Pearl Harbor and the ensuing near annihilation of the Japanese, the U.S. helped rebuild Japan . Now,more than three score later the results are obvious ,plus add current day issues like oil / fuel costs , labor rates , and Korea ,soon China as well as European automakers etc. Finally, as I'm running out of words, I/we can be thankful to DCX and and the others that are making the new Dodge Challenger a reality : I can enthusiastically Pledge Allegiance to the Almight HEMI Challenger. .Wheeee H-ahhhhhhh ! !!

[Challenger09]

Regamuffin,
Lots of good points, however I still think the main beef is the investment Japanese automakers have put into fuel efficiency, and to a lesser extent the Europeans. The Japanese have the hybrids as well as the Civic's and and Sentras that get remarkable. the Europeans have invested in diesels (my Jetta TDI gets 40+ mpg). While the U.S. automakers have FINALLY begun to invest in autos that get good mpg, there are no cars that are synonomous with this (Prius, Civic). Just my 2 cents. However, I will be BUYING the HEMI Challenger as soon as it is available with the BIGGEST engine I can afford! God Bless the american V-8!!

[RRHemi]

I really hate to post this but unfortunately it is true. My wife has a Pacifica. It is the first model year and it has been plagued with problems. We love the car but I am suprised that the check engine light still works.
She wanted to look at Hondas. They wanted to give us 6k for the Pacifica with 90,000 miles on it.
In the lot is a 2004 Civic with 80,000 miles on it, they were asking 8k for it! We paid 36k for the Pacifica. Now it doesn't take an economics major to figure this out. That civic may have cost 15k new.
Quality is still a problem witht the big three. They need to change their ways or they will be gone. GM's sales for June were -24% from last year.
I love American cars, Mopar especially but I can understand why people don't buy them.

[nextchall]

I think that the worst problem that the 3 american car companies have to face is "PEOPLE'S PERCEPTION". I think that the most recent products from the big 3 are on a dollar value equal to what the other manufacturers are building...including
Japan! BUT the 3 american have built such CRAP IN THE RECENT PAST that the customers still see today's car as inferior even if it is not true! There is a bunch of new outstanding vehicules that will be coming out soon from the big 3...and I sure hope the customers will judge them with OBJECTIVITY and FORGET THE PAST!

[RRHemi]

And they certainly have gotten better. The majority of people that I talk to will not even consider an American car. They have to be at least as good if not better or they will not be able to turn this around. I am not sure if that is possible. I still love my American cars and am even willing to put up with a little more maintenance. Most people are not willing to do this and will not tolerate poor trade in value. I cannot blame them.

American car manufacturers have to "hit the ball out of the park" every time or their days are numbered.