"6 myths about the Detroit 3" -- Mark Phelan, DFP columnist

[Bozita]

Front page above the fold in today's Freep.


http://www.freep.com/article/20081117/COL14/811170379

6 myths about the Detroit 3
BY MARK PHELAN • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • NOVEMBER 17, 2008


The debate over aid to the Detroit-based automakers is awash with half-truths and misrepresentations that are endlessly repeated by everyone from members of Congress to journalists. Here are six myths about the companies and their vehicles, and the reality in each case.

Myth No. 1

Nobody buys their vehicles.

Reality

General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC sold 8.5 million vehicles in the United States last year and millions more around the world. GM outsold Toyota by about 1.2 million vehicles in the United States last year and holds a U.S. lead over Toyota of about 560,000 so far this year. Globally, GM in 2007 remained the world's largest automaker, selling 9,369,524 vehicles worldwide -- about 3,000 more than Toyota.

Ford outsold Honda by about 850,000 and Nissan by more than 1.3 million vehicles in the United States last year.

Chrysler sold more vehicles here than Nissan and Hyundai combined in 2007 and so far this year.

Myth No. 2

They build unreliable junk.

Reality

The creaky, leaky vehicles of the 1980s and '90s are long gone. Consumer Reports recently found that "Ford's reliability is now on par with good Japanese automakers." The independent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study scored Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Mercury, Pontiac and Lincoln brands' overall quality as high or higher than that of Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, Nissan, Scion, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Power rated the Chevrolet Malibu the highest-quality midsize sedan. Both the Malibu and Ford Fusion scored better than the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Myth No. 3

They build gas-guzzlers.

Reality

All of the Detroit Three build midsize sedans the Environmental Protection Agency rates at 29-33 miles per gallon on the highway. The most fuel-efficient Chevrolet Malibu gets 33 m.p.g. on the highway, 2 m.p.g. better than the best Honda Accord. The most fuel-efficient Ford Focus has the same highway fuel economy ratings as the most efficient Toyota Corolla. The most fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cobalt has the same city fuel economy and better highway fuel economy than the most efficient non-hybrid Honda Civic. A recent study by Edmunds.com found that the Chevrolet Aveo subcompact is the least expensive car to buy and operate.

more...

[maxsolomon]

1. oh, well if Consumer Reports says so, then it must be true...

:eyes:

[iamjoy]

2. Truth Is Irrelevant

If consumers have a perception that US Automakers build gas guzzling pieces of junk, they are going to buy accordingly.

And those statistical studies are irrelevant too. Ten years ago, my family was a Saturn family. My Mom and Dad (divorced) each had a Saturn. My husband and I both drove Saturns. In fact, my Dad had two Saturns. All of us had alternator problems within a few years or buying the car. My Mom and Dad both had their odometers go within 7 years.

[ColbertWatcher]

3. You are correct. Perception is everything.

I think what the Big 3 need to do is something fresh and innovative.

Not hydrogen but some kind of flex-fuel vehicle that can run on several sources of energy.

Anything but hydrogen.

[Pathwalker]

4. You mean like the Chevy Volt?

They were geared up for production in 2010, but...well you know.

He3re's a link to it: http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/?seo=goo_|_2008_Chevy_Fuel_Solutions_Lifestyle_|_IMG_Electric_|_Chevy_Volt_FS_General_|_chevy_volt

[ColbertWatcher]

5. After what KBR did to CA just this past week ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4469703&mesg_id=4469703

... unless it's flex-fuel, I am moving away from idea of an electric car.

[gratuitous]

6. So the Big 3 make three (count 'em!) mid-size sedans that get 29-33 mpg

And how much research and development have they invested in manufacturing a 35 or 40 mpg mid-size? How much is their combined advertising budget for Hummers, Navigators, Escalades, Suburbans, Subdivisions and other behemoths? How much have they spent lobbying Congress not to boost CAFE standards?

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. I for one am unimpressed with Mr. Phelan's puffery.