American Car Companies -- The reason they are failing.....`

[Ziroc]

The main reason is innovation, price and style.

Most cars made in the USA are... well, dull as hell looking. Here is a PERFECT example of why no one is buying American cars.

So the Chevy Volt is previewed, and the concept car looked freaking awesome (See below)









Ok, THAT car above rocks style... But with most concept cars, they seem to always remove the cool factor 99.9% of the time, and cheapen the design. Here is what the Chevy 'Volt' became......






DULL.


If American Auto Companies want to start selling cars again, they need to become leaders in innovation, design and be reliable as well as extremely fuel efficient and SERIOUSLY work on moving away from petrol based cars.

Some of the designs I see from this year on lots look like styles from the 1980's.. blah.. come on, shock us with something amazing.. take advantage of your designers imagination, and not dumb down the design.. It's like they think we can't handle a car looking futuristic or something.... I don't get that...


Wouldn't you like to see cars like this (below) for sale?

[Lavindathar]

With the examples youve posted, I disagree.

And I was a car salesman for a bit, so I kinda know my stuff.

The reason the "cool" factor is removed, is because it's not financially viable to put those into production. the price would sky rocket.

Second, the concept look would actually probably harm sales....people into cars would buy it. People who aren't, wouldn't.

The Volt they released is not a dull car at all, its based on the new Civics, which are one of the most popular cars *(sales wise) in the world. The new chevvy volt will sell.

The concept would only appeal to people who want a futuristic beefy looking sports car...and thats not the market that the Volt is aiming at. It's a family saloon.

So I disagree with the Volt example, although in some cases your right. The finished product looks awful, but tahts the same all over the world.

But car sales throughout the world have taken a nose dive in recent times. Economy and all.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

First, they don't make their cars as well as the Japanese.

Second, People are being more responsible and walking, biking and busing to work.

I think maybe the 3 should get together and form one. And they better start making a better car.

I've been a Honda man since '91 and I cannot see myself switching any time soon.

...The Harpers have spoken!

[Bungleau]

Multiple personalities, have we?

A sense of innovation... that's what's missing. Toyota owns the Hybrid market, at least in the mind. They're not doing too badly on the sales floor, either.

Chrysler had a niche with the minivan. They've let others in. They should be focusing on a hybrid minivan to take part of Toyota's niche while holding on to their own.

They had a couple of good unique designs with the Prowler and the PT Cruiser. And the Prowler was a concept car that made good without being sterilized... brought some visibility to the brand.

They all need someone with some automotive vision to take the helm. Design and functionality... gotta have 'em both. They're struggling...

[Raistlin Majere]

I don't see the Audi concept as being very speedbump friendly... And though I agree with you and the concept car is far more eye-appealing, I honestly don't think the final version is all that "dull"...sure, it's a "regular" looking car, but the front end does have a distinctively "chevy look" to it...only thing I can come up with that seems to be away from the chevy look, is the very rounded out design.

But yeah, I think the most important thing to do is clear up the image...People still see American cars as being the least fuel effecient, while Japanese cars are supposedly very modest in their consumption. Go figure, but the brand image definately plays a bigger part then the actual end product(assuming it's atleast close to being on par with the competition, quality wise). Like Lavindathar mentioned, in the ever "greener" world, people just plain out refuse to buy products they deem most harmful to the environment. Atleast that's definately the trend in Europe.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Toyota is just having the grand opening of their new plant outside of Toronto. That's pretty impressive in these times!

[wellard]

Originally Posted by Bungleau They had a couple of good unique designs with the Prowler and the PT Cruiser. And the Prowler was a concept car that made good without being sterilized... brought some visibility to the brand.

YES too both cars, sure they alienate some, many in fact, but the designs where bold like Ziroc suggests and they sold because they where bold. But they let the PT design fade by not reinvesting and improving until it became too old and no one bought it anymore. Look at bike manufactures and how many custom / chopper bikes they sell that sell on looks alone and not on performance. There is a whole world of people who want ready to buy from the salesroom, way out wild designs not just outright performance, but the company is run by pussies who are scared to be bold.

[wellard]

Originally Posted by Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Toyota is just having the grand opening of their new plant outside of Toronto. That's pretty impressive in these times!

Which goes to prove that building cars in north America is a viable plan.

[ElfBane]

To me it all depends on how serious we(the USA), as a nation, are about reducing our dependence on oil. I think we should 'force' Detroit to build fuel efficient cars....I mean "really" fuel efficient cars, 35+ mpg or greater. How does one do this? Have luxury taxes,,,,,HIGH luxury taxes, on cars that don't meet the mpg requirements. AND have these taxes on those class cars extend throughout their life. Buy a used Hummer to avoid the taxes....no go !!!
This would also reduce our carbon footprint, but that's another thread, because some folks don't believe greenhouse gases are causing global warming.

[wellard]

Originally Posted by ElfBane To me it all depends on how serious we(the USA), as a nation, are about reducing our dependence on oil. I think we should 'force' Detroit to build fuel efficient cars....I mean "really" fuel efficient cars, 35+ mpg or greater. How does one do this? Have luxury taxes,,,,,HIGH luxury taxes, on cars that don't meet the mpg requirements. AND have these taxes on those class cars extend throughout their life. Buy a used Hummer to avoid the taxes....no go !!! This would also reduce our carbon footprint, but that's another thread, because some folks don't believe greenhouse gases are causing global warming.

Elfbane I agree with everything you say