American technology, build quality and production

[jokerabc]

Why is that the Americans still have trouble building a car without so many minor nuisances and problems?

American technology is so good with other machines, such as military equipment, commercial aircraft and commercial trucks. US fighter jets are some of the most reliable and advanced in the world. Navy warships such as the aircraft carrier are extremely tough, and now with the construction of the next-generation of aircraft carrier, the CVN-78 (USS Gerald Ford).

American companies are improving, but some of these cars are still disappointing. For example, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is amazing, but still has so many problems and not sure if I would put a lot of these cars as reliable.

I would really like to see America come out on top of well-made vehicles, as they have had with other machines.

I'm trying to avoid having this veer off into political territory, but simply stated, after Germany and Japan lost WWII, military development in both nations was very small, especially compared to that in the US and former Soviet Union.

As a result, many of their engineers, designers, manufacturers and resources were focused on things like building automobiles. If, say, Ford, GM, Chrysler had access to the people and resources that went into American military development, we'd likely have much different vehicles?

 

[Belesari]

Why is that the Americans still have trouble building a car without so many minor nuisances and problems?

American technology is so good with other machines, such as military equipment, commercial aircraft and commercial trucks. US fighter jets are some of the most reliable and advanced in the world. Navy warships such as the aircraft carrier are extremely tough, and now with the construction of the next-generation of aircraft carrier, the CVN-78 (USS Gerald Ford).

American companies are improving, but some of these cars are still disappointing. For example, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee is amazing, but still has so many problems and not sure if I would put a lot of these cars as reliable.

I would really like to see America come out on top of well-made vehicles, as they have had with other machines.

I'm trying to avoid having this veer off into political territory, but simply stated, after Germany and Japan lost WWII, military development in both nations was very small, especially compared to that in the US and former Soviet Union.

As a result, many of their engineers, designers, manufacturers and resources were focused on things like building automobiles. If, say, Ford, GM, Chrysler had access to the people and resources that went into American military development, we'd likely have much different vehicles?

Lots of reasons you see most of them in the defense industry here too.

Labor is far more expensive here than most other places. This is for a variety of reasons. Some technical others political or just practical.

Think of it this way. If you spent a whole lot more in R&D then sold it and it went from being say a $17,000 to a $28,000 dollar car how many less would be bought.

Its simple you get what you pay for.

And its not like other car makers dont make some cars that have problems or suck but then that doesnt sell papers as much here.

 

[Feanor]

I drive a fairly old Pontiac, and I have not experienced any problems with it. It's been reliable, and comfortable. The only down side is that I can't get more then 21-22 mpg in city. When I took it up to visit friends, all freeway driving, I got 28 mpg.

 

[NICO]

I drove a Ford Escort forever when I was in the service, never understood why Ford stopped making Escorts. The car was hugely popular. It had it's share of problems but overall, wasn't bad. I drive a Pontiac Vibe 2006, not bad, a few things plastic are broken but not bad. Very peppy car, good mileage and I can put a ton of crap in it, I use it almost like a small pickup. Yeah, it is based on the Toyota Corolla but, I think GM should have tried a little bit harder to save Pontiac, some of the new cars before closing shop were pretty decent....

I think you have to factor in the price point, most Americans don't care about quality as much as Japanese or Germans but are more concerned with pricing. When you travel abroad, you see the difference in mentality, especially Japanese, they always want the best and newest gizmo, almost regardless of price. Most Americans want ok quality and ok technology but want the BEST price. I think you see it the best in electronics, cameras, TVs, computers.....it really is a different mind-set between American consumers, Japanese or Europeans....Having lived in Italy, I can tell you Italians don't care that much about quality/price as long as it's design is beautiful, so you have to adapt to what your consumers want...

 

[Feanor]

I was very disappointed when the Pontiac line closed down. My next car would have been another Pontiac if they didn't stop making them... now I don't know where to get a sedan as large as my current Bonneville...