nytimes.com — For Detroit, there is plenty of failure. But there are also plenty of opportunities to begin again. In fact, there are many new technologies to make cars safer, cheaper, cleaner and more convenient. All these could be adopted by the automobile industry in the near future and without too much trouble.
Jan 3, 2009 View in Crawl 4
nicktxJan 4, 2009
Then don't buy a Smart car. But you probably think that a Civik only carries 2 people and that having a kid means you automatically need a Suburban.
Closed AccountJan 4, 2009
I remember my uncle who worked on the assembly lines at GM was bragging how they had to work 3 days straight to meet a deadline. I kept thinking no wonder their cars are so s**tty.
nicktxJan 5, 2009
@Dysarthria: You know what, retard? I do know a few things auto executives don't know. Like that you don't go to Congress asking for $25Bln handout and have no detailed plan on how are you going to turn your business around. The Chevy Volt is not a plan. It can be a hit but it can flop. I also know that despite all the hot air, Detroit cars are still NOT equal in engineering with Japanese or European cars. And I know that the $2000 you're throwing around is more like $800, which is the difference in labor costs vs. US-based Honda and Toyota plants. And that the average selling price of American cars is a couple of thousands less vs. a Camry or Accord. Why do you think that is? We've heard the same BS about GM/Ford/Chrysler turning themselves around for decades while they've continued to lose market share, shed jobs, and close plants.
downneckJan 5, 2009
after decades of being sold an endless parade of useless gadgetry, is it any real wonder that the average idiot truly thinks these things add value? i know people who don't drive outside of a 10-mile radius of their house that think they need an in-dash GPS navigation system and f**king TV screens on the backs of every seat in their giant suv so that their kid won't be bored during the 15 minute trip to her grandma's house.i managed an 11+ hour trip through 5 states on the back of a motorcycle and all i needed was a map that cost me 7 bucks (and some rain gear...f**king hurricane season)think about how stupid the average person is. now, realize that the word "average" means half of everyone is dumber than that. unfortunately, these people will continue to shamble, vacant-eyed, towards dealerships muttering marketing hype and pointing listlessly at slick brochures touting the necessity of various three-letter-named gadgets until the car industry wakes up and realizes it's drowning itself in a self-created sea of idiocy and stops marketing useless bulls**t at people.
dysarthriaMar 4, 2009
@apeweek. Its been a month, the UAW has made no concessions, the Big 3 are asking for more money, and I'm on the hook for it.Thanks UAW!!!