truth about domestics

So, think your floormats couldn’t possibly kill you right?  Well, if you happen to drive a Toyota covered by their LARGEST RECALL EVER, your floormats might be hazardous to your health.  The issue occurs when the floormats get stuck under the throttle pedal, causing it to stick in the wide open position.  This is Toyota’s largest recall ever, at 3.8 million vehicles, and their solution?  The answer to this issue from the company so many people think has the answers to everything?  Take out your floor mat.  That’s it…take it out, and get your carpets dirty.  Don’t replace it with a Toyota floor mat or any other floor mat for that matter.  Brilliant, and people wonder why their cars are like toasters, they just don’t care about the customer!  For a full list of the vehicles affected, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Photobucket)

Financial Help

When was the last time we (the US government) helped GM? Ford? Chrysler? Oh yes, the government provided $1.5 billion in loans to Chrysler in 1979. Without going into too much detail, Chrysler was able to achieve $2 billion in cost saving and concessions. Chrysler ultimately was able to turn a profit of $1.7 billion in the second quarter of 1984, and the government netted a profit of $660 million from it’s investment in Chrysler. Chrysler was also able to repay the loans early.

Other than that incident, Google cannot recall any other instances of a government “bailout” of any one of the three domestic automakers. Besides, I and many people agree that it is important to help our own industries, especially one of the largest, and one of a very few that is still in this country!

Ford SYNC uses

As stated in my previous posts, the D3 produce cars that are competitive in terms of quality and fuel economy.  Well they also produce products that are competitive in terms of technology.  Some of these technologies are already out, while others will be out in the near future.

Ford released it’s SYNC in-car communications and entertainment system on 12 models for the 2008 model year.  SYNC, co-developed with Microsoft, allows portable digital music players and Bluetooth enabled phones to be operated with simple voice commands.  It can also receive text messages and read them aloud.  The SYNC system was ranked #4 on Popular Mechanics magazines’ Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007.  It was also recognized by Popular Science magazine with a “Best of What’s New” Award for 2008.

Ford has announced several new technologies that it will be releasing in the near future.  Blind spot monitoring and collision awarness are two technologies design to help reduce the number of collisions that occur each year.  A technology they call MyKey allows parents to set limits on variables like top speed, radio volume, etc. to help keep teenage drivers from getting into trouble while driving.

In 1995 GM developed OnStar, a subscription-based system that provides in-vehicle communications, security, turn-by-turn navigation, and even remote diagnostics.  Drivers and passengers can use an in-vehicle audio interface to contact OnStar representatives for emergency services, vehicle diagnostics and directions.  The vehicle can also contact OnStar in the event of a collision, even if the driver is non-responsive.  The system also allows users to take and place telephone calls hands free, by using voice commands to spell out the phone number.

GM is currently working on a car called the Chevrolet Volt, that has been the talk of the auto industry for the last two years or so.  It is currently a concept that uses a gasoline engine as nothing more than a range extender (the gas engine is not used to drive the wheels directly.)  Instead, the car has batteries that drive electric motors to propel the car.  The Volt will be able to be charged at home overnight, and provide 40 miles (GM est.) of electric driving before the gas engine ever turns on, and when it does, it’s only used to recharge the batteries.  The reasoning behind this vehicle is that most people commute less than 40  miles every day, meaning that their drive could be entirely free of using gas.  While this technology is still a way off (the Volt is scheduled for a late 2010 calendar year release) GM has made several public statements that they have test mules driving around their proving grounds capable of driving 40 miles on electric power alone.

Chrysler is now offering uConnect, an in-vehicle internet enabling technology that allows drivers and passengers the ability to access information, entertainment and technology while on the go.  Five major areas are touched upon; music, gps, phone, studios and internet.  Chrysler also recently announced that they have 3 different electric vehicle concepts that they are testing with the hopes to have them on the market in 2010.  The concepts range from a minivan to a 2 seat sports car.

As you can see, each automaker is pushing the envelope with emerging technologies, to make our cars safer, more entertaining, easier to use, and more environmentally friendly.  There are technologies here that even the foreign automakers are now starting to copy, meaning that the American 3 still have an edge in the technology department.

I have heard that in parts of the country, people do not seem to know that Ford, for example, builds anything other than the F-150 and Mustang.  This, sadly, has happened for good reason.  During the truck and SUV boom of the 90’s, the American manufacturers let their car programs fall by the wayside, instead focusing a large portion of their development budget on the newest, latest, greatest, and biggest 4×4’s.  Cars were an after-thought, as they did not bring in the same large profits of their truck and SUV bretheren.  The Japanese manufacturers produced quality cars, but even they wanted a piece of the truck and SUV profit pie, and eventually built plants in America to build their own versions of the gas-guzzlers.

Even though this was the case as little as 5 years ago, the American 3 have made a very strong comeback in the car arena.  As you could see in my earlier post about their fuel efficency, they build small and mid-size cars that are very competitive when compared to their foreign rivals.  I also pointed out that their designs are built to high quality standards, putting them in the same league as the foreign brands.  To prove that their cars have other very strong selling points are a couple awards that I would like to point out.

Last year the Saturn Aura mid-size sedan was named the 2007 North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI.

Then in 2008 the Chevrolet Malibu took home the honors winning 2008 North American Car of the Year.  Both of these cars were up against some steep competition (both domestic and foreign) and were picked by a large jury made up of various members of the automotive media.

The 2008 Cadillac CTS won Motor Trend magazines coveted 2008 Car of the Year award.

For 2008, 3 GM vehicles made it on Car and Driver’s 10 Best List; the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CTS, more than any other manufacturer.

In 2007, Ford won more JD Power awards than any other automaker.  Ford, Lincoln and Mercury all had segment winners.  Those three nameplates also finished in the Top 10.

The 2008 Ford Focus was named one of Kelly Blue Book’s Top 10 coolest cars under $18,000.  With its combination of SYNC in car entertainment technology and 35 mpg on the highway, it was a tough car to beat.

The Ford Mustang ranked as the most problem-free “Midsize sporty car” from JD Power’s survey, while the Mercuy Milan was the highest ranked mid-sized car, and its sibling, the Lincoln MKZ, was the top-ranked “Entry premium car.”

All of these awards are only a small part of the story behind the cars that make up the American 3’s portfolios these days.  Their trucks and SUV’s are superbly engineered, besting those offered up by their foreign competition.  That same engineering mentality that goes into their trucks and SUV’s, is now applied to their car programs as well.  “Good enough is not good enough” any longer.  From the Chevrolet Malibu, to the Ford Fusion, the quality shows.  They do not build just trucks and SUV’s, they build some damn fine automobiles as well!

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE

Sure, cars built by the Detroit 3 were terribly inefficient back in the 70’s, 80’s and even somewhat in the 90’s. That is no longer the case when you actually take the time to look at the D3’s products.  This is probably the subject that upsets me the most when people give their reason for buying a foreign competitor’s product.  It shows that they were lazy and didn’t do their own research, instead relying on their perceived notion of which cars are fuel efficient and which are not.  Just because a brand sells a hybrid doesn’t mean the rest of their cars are fuel efficient.  The Big 3 have been accused of building only gas guzzlers to make huge profits.  As you will see, they were not alone in this.  Toyota and Nissan have released their biggest trucks and SUV’s to date in the past 4 years, as gas prices climbed and sales dropped.  Let’s break it down into segments to show examples of how the D3 compete today.

Lets start small and work our way up, beginning with C class cars.  All cars are 2009 models unless otherwise mentioned.  Most of the numbers given below are from www.fueleconomy.gov and also the manufacturer’s own website.  They are all based on the EPA’s testing.  The Chevrolet Cobalt XFE is rated at an estimated 25 mpg / 37 mpg (city / highway), while the Ford Focus is rated at 24 / 35.  The Honda Civic stickers at 26 / 34 while the Toyota Corolla is rated at 26 / 35.  All of these numbers are fairly close, but what stands out is that the MOST fuel efficient car in the class is from one of the American 3.

Take a look at midsize sedans and you may be shocked to learn that the story is very similar here.  When equipped with 4 cylinder engines, the Americans take the lead.  The Chevrolet Malibu is rated at 22 / 33, the Ford Fusion is rated at 20 / 29, while the Dodge Avenger is rated at 21 / 30.  All very close, and very good numbers for cars of their size.  The 2010 Ford Fusion is estimated to return 33 mpg on the highway, tying it for first with the Malibu.  The Toyota Camry is rated at 21 / 31, while the Honda Accord is estimated at 22 / 31.  The Nissan Altima is rated up to 23 / 32.  Again, the D3 pulls out again in fuel economy.  That’s 2 thus far Shooter…

Say you would like your midsize sedan with more guts for merging on the freeway.  When equipped with a V6, the Ford Fusion offers 20 / 29, the Chevrolet Malibu 18 / 29, Toyota Camry 19 / 28, and Honda Accord at 19 / 29.  No clear winner, but the American offerings are very competitive.

In the small crossover arena, when equipped with 4 cylinder engines, the Ford Escape is rated at 22 / 28, while the Saturn VUE is rated at 19 / 26.  The Toyota RAV4 provides 22 / 28, and the Honda CR-V is rated at 20 / 27.  Say you need more power, and opt for the V6.  The numbers are still very close, with the Ford Escape rated at 19 / 25, Saturn VUE at 16 / 23, Toyota RAV4 at 19 / 26, and Honda CR-V with 20 / 26.

On the larger crossover side, Ford and Chevrolet tie for first with Toyota.  The Chevrolet Traverse is rated at 17 / 24, while the Ford Flex receives identical numbers.  The Dodge Journey is rated at 16 / 23.  The Toyota Highlander is rated at 18 / 24, and the Honda Pilot at 17 / 23.

The D3 continue to lead the pack in full size trucks with their new offerings in 2008 and 2009.  The 2009 Chevrolet Silverado XFE 2WD is rated at 15 / 21, identical to the all new 2009 Ford F-150 SFE at 15 / 21.  The new Dodge Ram is close behind at 14 / 20.  All three of the American models listed are equipped with V8 powertrains.  They are still fully capable of towing and hauling, as trucks are meant to do.  The Toyota Tundra rates at 15 / 19…when equipped with a V6.  Bumping up to the V8 means taking a slight hit in economy, dropping to 14 / 17 with the 4.7L engine, or 14 / 18 with the 5.7L.  The Nissan Titan, Nissan’s first full size truck, is rated at 13 / 18 with it’s only available V8 engine.

A segment where the D3 show their leadership is in large SUV’s.  The Chevrolet Tahoe SFE 2WD is rated at 15 / 21.  The Ford Expedition 2WD posts an impressive 14 / 20.  Based on the new Tundra is the Toyota Sequoia, rated at 14 / 19.  The Sequoia’s up-market brother, the Land Cruiser, comes in at 13 / 18 (only 4WD is available.)  The Nissan Armada 2WD is rated at just 12 mpg in the city, and 18 mpg on the highway.

How about alternative fuels / powertrains?  You say the D3 has fallen behind.  They may have been behind, but they have caught up rapidly and are about to pass the competition.  GM is the only auto maker to put out a full size truck and SUV hybrid in an attempt to help improve the fuel mileage on the worst offenders.  The 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid is expected to earn an EPA rating of 39 mpg in the city…6 mpg MORE than the Toyota Camry hybrid rating of 33 mpg.  It’s highway number of 37 mpg is 3 more than the Toyota Camry hybrid’s rating of 34 mpg on the highway.  In a recent media drive of the Fusion hybrid, the writers (from www.autobloggreen.com) on hand averaged 43.1 mpg in mixed driving.  That’s nearing the EPA numbers for a Prius dedicated hybrid model (48 / 45).  Since 2004, Ford has offered the most fuel efficient SUV on the planet with the Escape hybrid, rated at 34 mpg city, 31 mpg highway.

As you can clearly see, the Detroit automakers produce cars that are competitive in their segments, being as efficient or more efficient than their foreign competition.  Please, help pass this message on!  Stop listening to the people who say that Detroit doesn’t build fuel efficient vehicles.  The Japanese manufacturers are not the only option out there.  It’s not 1972 anymore, it’s 2008, there is a new D3.

Ford's 2008 Quality Improvement

Let me begin my first official post by saying that I own an American SUV.  There, now that it’s out in the open, I can’t wait to hear all of the comments from people who say I am biased.  Those who do say that are totally correct, I am biased…towards the truth!  According to a recent JD Power survey, in overall quality, Mercury scored a “Better than Average” rating…the same rating that Toyota received.  Ford, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC and Lincoln received an “Above Average” rating…putting them in a tie with Honda.  In 2008, Ford Motor Company improved it’s TGW (Things Gone Wrong) number by 11% over 2007…nearly 6 times the industry average!

Maybe you’ll say now that the survey’s are biased…well how about some awards based on the number of repairs that cars see.  JD Power awarded the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu as being the “Highest Ranked Midsize Car in Initial Quality.”  The 2008 Chevy Silverado LD was given the “Highest Ranked Large Pickup in Initial Quality” award.  What??  Two American vehicles won quality awards?  What gives?  I guess they must be…as good or better than their foreign competition!

Say you’re still not convinced, and you think that the D3 are still lacking.  If that were true, how could GM, Ford or Chrysler afford to offer warranties that offer the same or BETTER coverage for their vehicles than Toyota or Honda?  If they were having as many quality issues as everyone believes that they are, they would be bankrupt simply due to repair costs.  In fact, GM offers a 5 year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, greater than Toyota or Honda’s 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty.  Chrysler now offers an un-heard of “unlimited” warranty, where the powertrain is covered no matter how many years the original owner has the vehicle, or how many miles they drive it.  If Honda, Toyota, Nissan or Kia have such great quality, then they should be able to offer warranties at levels of the domestic manufacturers without a hit in warranty costs.  Or maybe they can talk the talk, but can’t walk the walk?