Bob Lutz, the recently retired General Motors vice chairman, has had a continuing love affair with Detroit. He recently wrote an article about America’s renewed love affair with Detroit. He contends in the Reuters column that while it’s true that Detroit’s Big Three have been afforded a “historic window of opportunity” by the tragedy of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, it is a mistake to believe Detroit’s resurgence will be reversed when Japanese car supplies build up again. He says domestic carmakers are now producing the most competitive products in their history. Japanese brands have suddenly developed “a curious inability to produce winning designs.” One reason is the Japanese yen’s new strength against the U.S. dollar, which makes Japanese cars more expensive to sell in the United States. To compete on price,Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are cutting back on features. Gone are “the Hondas that scream ‘buy me’ thanks to their lovely proportions and superb interior.”
I do wonder if he ever reads anything that is contrary to his views. My favorite car review magazine is Consumers Reports. Unlike other car magazines it takes no advertising and so can provide honest evaluations.
The entire Chrysler line was reviewed in the just published August 2011 edition of Consumers Reports. In every category from family sedans to SUVs their vehicles rated at the bottom of the scale with the exception a Chevrolet Tahoe that rated even lower. Consumers says, “Chrysler is on the right path but still has a long way to go.” This is sad when you consider that Chrysler was the originator of the minivan.
In every vehicle type American made cars rated lower than those manufactured in Japan and South Korea. One exception was the Chevrolet Traverse rating higher than a Honda Pilot.
Many foreign brands are actually assembled in the U.S.A. That includes my 2004 Toyota Camry.
Sorry Bob, you may love Detroit but my next car is not likely to be a domestic brand.
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