h00nta Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from...ent/4417869.stm Sounds like a bleak picture of Detroit to me - is there some substance to this article? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 As someone who grew up during the 70's Arab Oil Embargo I have wondered for quite sometime if there would be a repeat of the rush to drive cars that get reasonable mileage. The thing is, the average American middle class SUV driver can easily afford to buy three dollar a gallon gas for their gas hogs. I know my next vehicle will have to get at least 40 MPG. And I will as I always have Buy American! That certainly makes it tough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerichohol Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Ouch, They really need to change their labour contracts. But the biggest Detroit company, GM, is in deep trouble. Much of it stems from its massive overheads.In the good old days Detroit offered the most sought-after blue collar jobs in America, signing labour contracts giving the United Auto Workers Union almost de facto veto power over whether or not loss-making factories should be closed. Today, GM has enormous liabilities from providing healthcare and pensions for hundreds of thousands of workers, their families and the retired. It is estimated that adds nearly ?1100 to the cost of every GM model that comes off the production line. Same story with Rover here in the UK, sad to say Rover UK (BBC) Would the US Government do a similar thing to try and save the industry if it ever went bankrupt? The UK wants to but European Laws doesn't allow them to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Would the US Government do a similar thing to try and save the industry if it ever went bankrupt? 585741012[/snapback] Chrsyler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted April 7, 2005 Veteran Share Posted April 7, 2005 Ouch, They really need to change their labour contracts. 585741012[/snapback] Most "imports" are made here under the same labour laws and with similar contracts. American car companies' first priority should be to put much better product on the salesfloor. See any American cars here?: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Well Freddie I can't see any 'hybreds' in this list: (do YOU see ANY American Cars there?) 2004 best selling cars A Ford F-150 pickup sure ain't no high mileage vehicle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreAming in DigITal Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 I agree that American automakers need a good kick in the butt. They make some REALLY nice cars but they are waaaaaaay overpriced for the product that you recieve. Our domestic automakers also need to work on producing cars with better gas mileage and/or alternate means of power. And if they can put together good horsepower with an alternate means then they will have a market, if not then they won't. As a nation we do rely on oil way to much, and these cars don't help (I can't talk I get 13 mpg). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Yep you've hit IT right on the HEAD! If there wasn't a market H2's SUV's and F-150's they wouldn't build em' and sell em' by the traincar load. What cha driving (gas hog) that gets only 13 MPG (like I can, laugh one of my cars a Mustang gets only 15 in the city, 33 bucks to travel 220 miles?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axon Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 I know the next car my parents buy are both going to be hybrids. Too bad I can't afford to pay $55,000 for a car yet! The price of hybrid technology needs to come down before they can be widely used. -Ax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreAming in DigITal Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Yep you've hit ITright on the HEAD! If there wasn't a market H2's SUV's and F-150's they wouldn't build em' and sell em' by the traincar load. What cha driving (gas hog) that gets only 13 MPG (like I can, laugh one of my cars a Mustang gets only 15 in the city, 33 bucks to travel 220 miles?) 585741511[/snapback] It's a 2005 Yukon Denali...Just wish it got better gas mileage...but I didn't buy it thinking it was an economy car either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Dang Dude that IS the prototypical American "SUV" Well AX is that your way of saying you agree with me??? I looked into the Toyota Prius. The simple arithmetic made which car to buy very simple. Hmm lessee. The Prius gets a lil better mileage but costs more and has the extra added burden of the hybred powertrain. The Echo gets mileage that is nearly as good, will have lower maintenance costs due to the much simpler powertrain and has a much lower initial purchase price. Easy call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreAming in DigITal Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 Dang Dude that IS the prototypical American "SUV" haha yea...mine is just like that one but white... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted April 8, 2005 Veteran Share Posted April 8, 2005 I know the next car my parents buy are both going to be hybrids. Too bad I can't afford to pay $55,000 for a car yet!The price of hybrid technology needs to come down before they can be widely used. 585742351[/snapback] Dang Dude that IS the prototypical I looked into the Toyota Prius. The simple arithmetic made which car to buy very simple. Hmm lessee. The Prius gets a lil better mileage but costs more and has the extra added burden of the hybred powertrain. The Echo gets mileage that is nearly as good, will have lower maintenance costs due to the much simpler powertrain and has a much lower initial purchase price. Easy call. 585742530[/snapback] The Toyota Prius compares to the Toyota Camry (in terms of size and passenger room). It costs 20% more than the Camry LE Sedan C$36458.50 vs C$30273.75 (prices include Taxes, Levies, Fees, Freight & Delivery) Considering that you could save up to C$750 per year on fuel then it doesn't make it a bad choice. Comparing the mid-size Prius to a compact Echo is just not a fair comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 I apologize profusely I've always thought of either of them as Japanense econo-boxes. But you are certainly right though. We went to test drive both of them for my Kid. At 16 he was 6' 3" and complained that he couldn't fit in the Echo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted April 8, 2005 Veteran Share Posted April 8, 2005 Toyota Camry interior volume (cu ft): 101.8 Toyota Prius interior volume (cu ft): 96.2 Toyota Echo interior volume (cu ft): 88 So the Prius is smaller than the Camry but certainly larger than the Echo. My dad has a Camry and I'm over 6 feet tall. I don't have a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 But those Echo mileage numbers sure look inviting don't they? I have long wondered if - or when Americans will demand higher mileage vehicles. I personally wouldn?t mind mixing it up with the monster Denali?s in a oversized golf kart if I could get outrageous mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axon Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 Well there is now a Hybrid Honda, the 2005 Honda Accord. There is also a Ford Escape SUV thats hybrid. I'll dig around a little tomorrow and find some vehicles in the area here (Vancouver & Lowermainland) that are listing hybrids. I hear they test them in the area because of the diverse landscape (mountains, plains, swaps, its all here, good and bad :p). -Ax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winky Posted April 8, 2005 Share Posted April 8, 2005 no one really needs an SUV ceratinly not one as large as a Yukon Denali ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Derf Veteran Posted April 8, 2005 Veteran Share Posted April 8, 2005 Well there is now a Hybrid Honda, the 2005 Honda Accord. 585743961[/snapback] Toyota has been making hybrids for six years. Take a look at the fuel economy of the Prius compared to the Accord Hybrid: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs.shtml There is also a Ford Escape SUV thats hybrid. 585743961[/snapback] There are also pickup trucks from Chevy and GMC: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybrid_sbs_trucks.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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