truth about domestics

The list put together by MSNBC is a pretty good one.  I love to read about American cars (hence this whole website that I work on several hours a day) so one more list about great American metal is always welcome!  For more, head on over to MSNBC.

(Image source: GM)

General Motors and the UAW have come up with a way to run a plant basically around the clock.  Typically two shifts are used at a plant when demand is up, but a third shift is really unheard of because plants require routine maintenance that is usually taken care of during down time.  Well by speeding up parts of the line so they can be slowed down later, GM is upping the run time of the line from 14.5 hours per day, to 21.6.  Even Toyota, who is often cited as a benchmark for efficiency, rarely operates more than two shifts.

The reason for the third shift is to help satisfy demand for the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse, so this whole story sounds like great news for GM and the American public.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: GM)

Prior to declaring bankruptcy, General Motors began delaying products in the hopes of saving some cash to survive the economic downturn.  While all that did was buy them some time, it meant new product was being pushed further downstream.  Post-bankruptcy, GM has about $40 billion in cash and lower overhead costs so it has decided to use that money to pull programs ahead.  One of the specific programs mentioned by Bob Lutz is the all-new Malibu.  Originally slated as a 2012 model, the car will now be seen in 2011.  For more details, head on over to Autoblog.

GM held an event involving it’s PR team and some of the people inside have leaked some information about what was shown.  Using the social networking site, Twitter, people gave insight into several new Cadillac models as well as the new Chevy Malibu and a new Buick.  For all of the details, head on over to Autoblog.

Looks like the next few years will be a really exciting time over at the General, so stay tuned for more!

According to a report in the Detroit News, Ford and General Motors could be looking to downsize their full-size sedans.

Ford is rumored to be looking at moving the D-size Taurus to the C/D platform that will underpin the next Ford Fusion and European Ford Mondeo and Galaxy.  Across town at GM, a similar strategy is under works that could move the Chevrolet Impala to a stretched and widened version of the Malibu.

These moves would make sense as automakers try to prepare for the upcoming CAFE increases by downsizing powertrains, and the vehicles themselves, to try and reduce weight.

The Detroit Bureauis reporting that “Maximum” Bob Lutz has decided to cancel his retirement and will stay on at the New GM as a special advisor to new CEO Fritz Henderson.  Henderson’s background is more in finance, so Lutz’s product background should fit nicely into the newly formed company.  Lutz was responsible for bringing the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky, Chevrolet Malibu and the upcoming Chevrolet Volt to market.

Bob Lutz

That’s right folks, GM’s Vice Chairman for Global Product Development since 2001, Mr. Lutz will be retiring at the end of 2009.  He has been instrumental in bringing products like the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac Solstice and G8, and Saturn Sky to market, as well as being the driving force behind the Chevrolet Volt.  Read the full article at Autobloggreen.com.

2010 Ford Fusion

Ford has done it again, this time with the 4 cylinder version of th 2010 Fusion sedan.  The car was recently certified by the EPA at 23 city / 34 highway.  This ties/beats the current class leaders (Nissan Altima at 23 city, Chevrolet Malibu at 33 highway) and shows that the American’s know how to build class leading cars too.  Head on over to Autobloggreen to read the full article.

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.