As The Garage is so close to GM Canada’s headquarters, and a large number of Durham Region’s population depend on The General, I have spent some time over the years justifying my position that Traditional Domestics (ie American cars) SUCK. They ask “how can you say that when your neighbour’s income depends on those cars” or “we take great pride in the quality of our cars”.
It’s true, that the Oshawa plant has the highest quality rating of any of GM’s plants. That’s right, us Canadian’s build better cars up here than are built south of the border. These guys & girls have a right to be proud. They build the best cars they can, within the parameters that are set out for them. That’s right, this high end production facilty is predetermined to build crap.
The traditional domestics have some pretty inspired stylists too. Is it their fault? Not on your life.
The technical designers then? Well, let’s face it. Some of the best cars in the world (think Accord & Camry) are built and designed in North America with North American designers. I’m pretty sure the designers and engineers bred here in North American are equal to or better than those from any other country.
So, why are American cars crap?
Because the companies profit structure dictates that the accounting staff decide the quality of the end product. The stylists design a prototype. The engineers put the technology into the car. The accountants determine what quality of raw materials will be used in the manufacturing facilty. Have you ever compared the quality of plastics used in a Traditional Domestic (ie American) with that of a similar quality Traditional Import (ie Japanese)? The Japanese Domestic will always have a richer feel, because a higher quality of plastic is used.
Japanese manufacturers build long term relationships with their suppliers that are based on a mutual goal. “We need this widget. Can we build it for X dollars? If not, How much?” American manufacturers put out a tender for a product and then choose the cheapest bidder. Anyone with any inkling of business sense knows that the cheapest supplier is going to be cutting corners somewhere. In essence, you get what you pay for.
If the Traditional Domestics want to start building cars of the same quality as the Traditional Imports, they should allow their designers and engineers to do their jobs. Give the suppliers and the guys on the line the same raw products that the designers specify. Now that will mean a vehicle with a higher cost. Tough. Rearrange the proft structure. If you are building fewer quality cars that actually sell instead of building cars to keep plants working, the company will make more money. Toyotas are typically a bit more expensive than Fords and Toyota doesn’t appologize. They built cars that sell without sitting on a lot for a year. When was the last time you saw Toyota offering Employee pricing?
Instead of allowing the accounting departments to hold a leash around all the other departments, reign in the accountants and allow the design and productions teams to build great cars. Then we might start seeing some great American cars instead of American cars that SUCK!
7 comments ↓
I agree with the accountant remarks but I would also add that it takes way to long for american car makers to fix/ recall know problems (I would like to add that when it is a safety related issue the fix is as quick as the imports thus we know they can fix it but just don’t) . Example, when honda had a bearing cooling problem with it’s minivan transmissions the fix was put in place the next modle year. If we look at the american car we see known issues the continue year after year this is a management problem. Examples chrysler mini van tranmissions, GM mini van intake manifold and head gaskets, windstar electrical & tranmissions problems. On another note Who is running the show @ ford? The current focus is a good reliable car but it took about 8 years to get the bugs out of it. Every other car maker has come out with about two to three new modles in that time period even ford of europe has a new focus based on the mazda 3 but we get the old car @ almost the same price as the mazda 3!!!!
How about the multiple thousands of dollars for legacy costs baked into every GM car? If those were cut out I’m sure they could afford to put in better materials and fewer exposed screwheads.
Legacy cost removal = bankrupcy and leaving the pensioners to the US taxpayer.
BTW, GM ergonomics are still pretty crappy, they really need to clone a Volkswagen or Audi interior designer.
I am tool & die maker who has made his living making rubber dies for the auto industry. The Idea that we built anything less than a quality product because we had to win a bid to get the job is insulting. We also bid on japanese products. The long term supplier/auto relationship you refer to by the japanese only applies to those suppliers that toyota or honda own a large stake in, other wise they put there products out for bid like everyone else, we have done work for toyata & it required a low bid to get the work.
As for the quality of the car itself versus individual componets there is a difference in how the japanese, especially Toyata makes there cars. Over a car models life span the japanese make incremental improvements over a span of years. Each year fixing & improving the model, this is an evoulutinary approach, american autos come out with a new & exciting model every few years. Which uses many new parts & has teething problems. There are also many differenses in how the employees are treated trained & expected to contribute to the process. I could right a volume about this subject & many have, but the reason Detroit isnt selling cars has many reasons, not to mention the unions which the Japanese dont have to deal with.
[...] As The Garage is so close to GM Canada’s headquarters, and a large number of Durham Region’s population depend on The General, I have spent some time over the years justifying my position that Traditional Domestics (ie American cars) SUCK. They ask “how can you say that when your neighbour’s income depends on those cars” or “we take great pride in the quality of our cars”. [...]
American cars are actually the best overall.Safety,durability,comfort,unfortunately not economy.French cars are the most economical Peugeot Diesels,also Renault and Citroen diesels do over 60 miles per gallon in my experience.GM Opel/Vauxhall and Ford are the best selling cars in europe and are better than most jap cars.You yanks/canadians need to learn more about cars.You never see an accord or camry here,thank fuck!.
[...] cars really that bad? - Feb. 3, 2006 American car companies cannot change quickly with the times. Why do American cars SUCK? — The Garage Side comment-just like our government and look what’s happening… __________________ If there [...]
@ Jock dude, in europe US cars are changed to fit european standards you idiot. Just like comparing a corolla in japan to a corolla in the US they’re different, moron!
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