Can US automakers ever return to glory days?

[ryannel2003]

Name one Toyota currently in production that is actually fun to drive. You can only make the argument for the Camry V6. But, even that will fail. Then again, driving a BMW would sort of skew my expectations.

Haha, I will give you that. The Camry SE V6 is supposed to be a great compromise between handling and ride. I've personally never driven one, but I hear they are great. But you have to make the Camry better, i'm gonna add an aftermarket TRD swaybar and that will give much better handling in the corners.

As for driving a BMW, yeah i would think that would even sway me a little bit.

 

[FrankBlack]

I owned a Toyota Truck before I became a Sube owner. It was a fun truck to drive, and the right vehicle at the time. If I wanted to own a truck again, I'd go with Toyota. Keep in mind, a truck is not for everyone, and a Toyota 4x4 rides like a,,,well, like a truck.

To answer the OP's original question, my answer is no, U.S. auto makers will never return to the glory days of the 50's and 60's. For the most part, young buyers are simply not buying what they're selling.

As others have noted, people in their 20's do not buy Buicks and Pontiacs. The only people I see driving Buicks are folks in their 60's and up. Pontiac tried to bring back the GTO a few years ago, but it didn't sell well and was dumped.

I've heard that Ford is going to stop selling the Crown victoria to the general public, and it will only be sold to police departments and cab companies. Pretty much the only people buying it now. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[ErikCLDR]

I've heard that Ford is going to stop selling the Crown victoria to the general public, and it will only be sold to police departments and cab companies. Pretty much the only people buying it now. Anyone know anything about this?

Yup, that's true. They have no plans on revamping the car. The dodge magnum/charger are now being offered to police departments and I know the state police here in CT are starting to use them.

 

[quagmire]

Yup, that's true. They have no plans on revamping the car. The dodge magnum/charger are now being offered to police departments and I know the state police here in CT are starting to use them.

The Magnum won't last long as it is dead. Out of the products they have killed, only one deserved it and that is the PT. The Pacifica was decent, just needed a refresh/redesign. Crossfire was sweet. Viper, enough said. Magnum, ultimate sleeper( along with the '04-'06 GTO).

 

[SactoGuy18]

Surprisingly, one automaker that could really make a comeback in the USA is Ford.

Ford makes excellent trucks, and with the likelihood of Ford using a lot of turbodiesel engines that meet the EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standard, that could save sales of the F-150 truck for many years to come. Also, I think Ford is very likely going to essentially go to worldwide platforms for all their models, which essentially means over the next 5-7 years the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo models sold in Europe will be assembled here in the USA also. With interest in smaller cars here in the USA, even the upcoming second-generation Ford Ka could be sold here.

 

[3nm]

The Pacifica was decent

that's the problem. the automobile industry is very competitive. DCX knew that soccer moms would prefer SUVs with car-like handling. however, they decided to come up with a product that looks like a bloated minivan. pacifica's interior is better than decent, though.

Crossfire was sweet.

imho, it is an ill-fated car from the start. while i happen to think the controversial exterior styling is acceptable as long as it's a SRT-6 with the right price, no one in his/her right mind will pay so much $$$ for this crossdresser with hand-me-down last gen SLK platform, MB reliability and chrysler's nameplate. with a name that signifies the DCX marriage, the company chose to cut corners and reuse R170's parts for the entire interior to remind people that this supposedly halo car is indeed an OLD SLK. when you get into a mark V, you know it's a VW, not an old TT based on the A4 platform. when you get into a crossdresser, you are instantly greeted by silver hard plastic with paint that'll chip off eventually, and big old knobs and buttons that characterized every MB's center console in the late '90s. when a halo vehicle needed to be sold on overstock.com, you know its days are numbered.

Magnum, ultimate sleeper( along with the '04-'06 GTO).

RS4/6 is a sleeper, a hearse on steroid aka magnum is not a sleeper. also, GM made the GTO.

 

[quagmire]

RS4/6 is a sleeper, a hearse on steroid aka magnum is not a sleeper. also, GM made the GTO.

I know the GTO was made by GM. Just stating that they are sleepers. Sure a car person that knows anything about cars will know how fast they are. But, when it comes to the avg. person, they will see a wagon and think it will be a slow POS. Then with the GTO, they will see a 90's like Grand Prix and again underestimate it. The only thing that will give these people clues is the rumble of the Hemi and LS V8's.

 

[dogtanian]

in answer to the op's question... probably not, esp with these things

 

[quagmire]

in answer to the op's question... probably not, esp with these things

While people buy pick ups for the hell of it and not use it for its designed purpose, doesn't mean the F-150 is what is wrong with the US automakers. More appropriate vehicles to show what is wrong with US automakers are these:

 

[mr.light]

Surprisingly, one automaker that could really make a comeback in the USA is Ford.

Ford makes excellent trucks, and with the likelihood of Ford using a lot of turbodiesel engines that meet the EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standard, that could save sales of the F-150 truck for many years to come. Also, I think Ford is very likely going to essentially go to worldwide platforms for all their models, which essentially means over the next 5-7 years the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo models sold in Europe will be assembled here in the USA also. With interest in smaller cars here in the USA, even the upcoming second-generation Ford Ka could be sold here.

I agree. The transition to worldwide platforms will be key in turning this around. Ford does indeed make excellent trucks. The Tundra has always been a copy of the F150. At one point they looked so similar I thought you could exchange panels. To say that the F !50 is what is wrong with the North American Auto industry is ludicrous at best. If that were the case the Japanese Makers would not even have pickups on the market.

 

[JesseJames]

You are right about that new Ford Focus. I don't know what Ford was thinking about that. Maybe just to fill that category with a product.
As for GM, I think they are slowly turning things around. But think about this, I do believe now that even Hyundai is beating them at their own game. Remember when owning a Hyundai was pretty much a joke? Who's laughing now?
A friend of mine owned one a while back. I wasn't too impressed at the time but I thought it was peppy little runabout. Solid means of transportation. I knew Hyundai was on the rise. Now they have a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing works here and they mean business. I am sure Toyota and Honda are looking over their shoulders.

 

[4JNA]

send all the union reps overseas...

Can US automakers ever return to glory days?

not with high school grads making $60+ an hour. not going to happen.