Hi Jack, Re: "The Monthly Tuneup": 
I've drunk the cool aide, always have and always will buy American Cars and other domestically produced stuff as well (in spite of the UAW premium which the 90% non-union buying public resents if they think about it).

But this article completely misses the key issue, which is, that took decades for American perception to shift in favor of the Japanese (Koreans, Germans, etc.). 
I spent years managing the customer survey activities at a GM Division so I have a little bit of professional insight.  The "initial quality" statistics are basically meaningless unless you are in the production end of the business.  Customers on the verge of purchase typically remember a lot less about the initial quality than they do about the last few months of product quality and reliability.  If someone experiences a rash of problems at what they (or their Toyota owning friends and neighbors) perceive to be too low a mileage/time they act on that reality not on some long ago, almost forgotten, impression that might have earned a bonus for a Plant Manager. 

Furthermore when they go to trade their American vehicle in they often/always get screwed because it isn't demanded by the used car buyer who really (for good reason) wants a Honda or Toyota unless the American car is really CHEAP!  Yeah, the media is biased.  But let's remember they grew up watching mom and dad get screwed by diesel Oldsmobiles:  the best marketing gift ever presented to the Japanese!
 
When Impalas are competitive with Camrays and Civics at 100,000 miles plus, the pendulum will begin to swing back (which it has for GM in some cases).  The next big test will be to see how many pissed off F150/Silverado owners switch to the new Tundra!
 

Hi Jack:

Good to hear from you and hope you and yours are in good health.  We're fine, thank you.

Wish Consumers Reports would read and take to heart Mr. Simmermaker's remarks.  Jim Guest recently commented in his monthly column that Toyotas are made in America while Suburbans are made in Mexico, implying that Toyotas are more domestic than Chevrolets are.  I do believe Consumers Report's intent is to drive domestic manufacturing (and not just automobiles either) down while praising anything imported.

Take care and keep up the good work,

Dave Casey
 

TURNING GM AROUND

It can be done and should be done. The consequences will impact many working Americans not only now but in the future. Americans will be losing their production skills to the world and "MADE IN AMERICA" WILL BECOME HISTORY. If GM doesn't or isn't turned around, you will see Ford following GM "s path.

How can this be accomplished? First arouse all Americans to this serious plight get that old good American spirit going to save American jobs and the U.S. Auto Industry as a whole or pay the consequences of being under foreign auto industries, totally.

Yes, GM at one time built some poor quality jobs, they have learned their lesson, it was a wrong thing to do. I attribute it to the top management failure to correct these problems of poor quality and somewhat the Union for keeping silent as many of their hourly people were aware of the poor quality being produced. Let us forget the blame calling game and continue to turn GM around. Some further thoughts , how we can do it.

Rick Wagoner, CEO of GM cannot do it by himself, for he did not bring upon the current problem facing GM, himself, he inherited it from the top GM brass and top Union brass that preceded him as head of GM, case and point, the GM health insurance.

I am appealing to all hourly, salaried employees, the union top brass, GM top management, and yes, all retirees to support Rick Wagoner in his efforts to turn GM around and those of us ,who are GM stockholders....let us be watch dogs, help where we can.

I feel if GM does the below listed items, it will increase the sales and be helpful in turning GM around:

Improvement on........

1. Quality

2 .Styling

3. Fuel Economy

4. Car Warranty

5. Dealership relationship with customers

I understand the above is now being done by GM but poorly advertised to the general public.

Mr. Wagoner should realize if he left his door open to the retires, he would receive great support and some valuable info.

As a salaried retiree from GM Framingham Assembly Plant, who had spent nearly 37 years working for GM, I hope my article has given you new hope or raised your feelings to a positive feeling than one of a negative one., we must care or we will lose he middle class in our country.

MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA

Stan Kulik
KulStnl@aol.com

I just wanted to take the time to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your write ups. Being that I am currently in the Auto industry it's comforting knowing that there are people who care about the well being of our countries economy and the families detrimental to it. Feel free to e-mail me future articles and if I may be of help.

Thank you,

Chris Beck

Somerset Pontiac GMC Troy, Michigan

http://www.somersetpontiacgmc.com/

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