It is not about the cost. It is all about the quality of cars that big 3 build. You can build quality cars and lose money because of the legacy cost. Unfortunately US car manufacturers are losing money and build crappy cars.
There's lots of bad information on this thread. (Not unusual.) Ford F150 Ford Taurus Honda Civic Three outstanding automobiles in their categories. (And yes, Toyotas are outstanding also.)
Ford Mustang Designer Revives an American Classic In 1975, Thai-Tang's family escaped Saigon and moved to New York City. There, Thai-Tang excelled in school, especially math. After college, he got a job as an engineer with Ford and bought his first car -- a Mustang, of course. Now, he's director of Ford's Special Vehicle Team, overseeing the automaker's performance line of cars and trucks.
Ford Focus EU .............. http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/0807_2009_ford_focus_RS/photo_01.html Ford Focus US (UUGH!!!) ............... http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/tweaked-2009-ford-focus-coupe-debuts/ Ford Mondeo EU (The Fusion in the US)........... http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/24/ford-mondeo-named-car-of-the-year-by-auto-express/ Ford Fusion US.............. http://www.fordvehicles.com/cars/fusion/ That about shows the problems with Ford in the US imo.
Today; my Chevy truck had a problem on highway; it's on-board computer thinks i had overload the circuit with AC and high blower both on; so it decided to cut off my truck's alternators; anyway; i had put some miles on this truck; 289k; original trany and engine; only 4 years old. During my college year; i had ford escort(station wagon) only last 90k; need new engine then trany at almost same time; and no one want for trade in; so it went to salvage yard; next one; Chrysler caravan; only 129k; lots of electric problem; so i trade in for my Chevy truck. Only buy big 3's commercial graded vehicle; like Trucks; Cargo Van; etc... Family cars/vans; forget about it!
impossible! according to the resident expert traderzones, all japanese models are designed by japanese. how can a toyota be designed by americans? (lol he's such a buffoon. )
Ford have always had a "reputation" in australia.....for lousy quality. Recent stuff may be better, but from the 70's to 95, bits would randomly fall off, not work from new, the horror stories are truly legend. Early '90s models had a door handle that faced the wrong way-you couldn't rest your hand on it, even as a passenger. A certain later '90s model had a gearbox that was guaranteed to quit at 150 thou k's. Yet for all that, there were only two marques in australia, ford and holden (gm) and there is some irony in the fact that modern fords are probably fantastic cars..........and you can't tell them apart from a holden these days, visually. I doubt ford has actually made a good australian car since the xw, they were great. http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/car_info_ford_falcon_xw_gt.htm The other marque-toyota, the landcruiser and hilux are perfect for australian conditions (shithouse roads, lots of dirt, washboard) since inception, and remain so, you still see early 80's models getting along, they just don't quit. Ford has always made inferior product, toyota make superior product. Simple, imo.