Auto Industry Reality Check

Bottom line: build a good car, have a dealership that does not try to screw the consumer, and try to continue improving the cars every year [10 Cars Detroit Should Copy, usnews.com]. They should have sent $25,000 vouchers to everyone to buy an American car, then maybe I would consider "helping out" by buying a mediocre model. If it is my hard-earned money that I am shelling out—I want to buy the best value for my money—and it is not a Ford or Chevy. Cars that should be looked at: Mazda CX-7, Toyota Solara hardtop and convertible, and the Nissan Altima. We should not be bailing out overpaid industrial age jobs when we are losing our cutting-edge IT jobs to cheap foreign labor. Funny how no unions are worried about that. Protecting our past does not ensure our future.

Comment by Jim of IL

If the foreign cars are so well built, and so reliable, how come they don't offer a lifetime powertrain warranty? Chrysler offers this. And do you seriously think a company would offer such a warranty if they didn't have full confidence in their product? It simply wouldn't be offered if Chrysler felt it would cost them a large amount of money through the years. That's what I would like to see from these so-called "reliable" foreign matchbox cars. What has happened to America? We used to be passionate about our cars. And to those who believe they are supporting the American economy because a few of the foreign cars are built here, the profit still goes to the foreign markets.

Comment by Joe of MN

The validity of your article stops when you do not have a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord at the top of the list, let alone absent. Haven't you read Car & Driver or Motor Trend in the last three decades? Every new car made is compared to those two vehicles. Why? They have set the value gold standard. All vehicles are measured against them because they are agreed to be the best vehicles available. For the record, I own a Chevy Impala. And I am completely satisfied with the vehicle. And the reason for that is that GM took the Impala and tried to do as much of the right things as the Accord or Camry. Alas, the fact remains that those two cars are the benchmark for all others, regardless of category.

Comment by Scoty of IN

We don't need any more foreign-looking cars on the road! If cars get any smaller we are going to need one for each foot. I have always liked GM styling. If they could compete with foreign pricing then you would see more American cars on the road. People like the looks and style of American cars, but they can go to a foreign automaker and save thousands. Bring the price down and they won't be able to keep them [American cars] on the lot. I think most Americans want to by a domestic car, it is just not economically sound right now.

Comment by Stan of NC

How could you leave the Mini Cooper off the list of cars Detroit should copy? Despite numerous efforts to copy the design by others (read particularly Honda and Toyota), the styling remains fresh and attractive. Handling is incredible and mileage is exemplary. After more than five years in the United States, they still turn heads. With prices from the teens to low "30's" depending on how they're equipped, they have something for the miser to the performance crowd. What an oversight.

Comment by Steve of OH