Re: Iron-y

[farna@xxxxxxx]

Nah, not banned John, or even warned. The mention of Fonda wasn't done in a way that should start anything -- I hope! If it does a warning will go out again. 

Interesting that Toyota would consider a move "to help GM". Is it insight that competition is helpful, or just the realization that increasing production capacity in a highly competitive market may be a foolish move? I think it's more the later -- raise prices since demand is so high and keep production at a reasonable level. When people have to wait for Toyotas it will create a wonderful (for the manufacturer and dealers) pent up demand and give the illusion that they are such a desireable car that you have to wait in line to get one. It will also boost resale value, ala Honda. I've seen clapped out Hondas go for way to much money! Harley Davidson used the same strategy through the 80s and has had wonderful success with it. Mentioning they are "concerned about GM" puts Toyota in a good light with Americans too. Shrewd -- that's what I'd call the statement and raising prices instead of production!!

I agree 100% on the French cars in the US statement. You wouldn't think we Americans would be that hard on cars. I've seen little French cars loaded to the max and chugging up and down hills/mountains -- but at low speeds. Since they make nice Formula racers you'd think they could make higher speed road cars. Well, they do -- the Megane is one of the most popular cars in Europe and a good looking mid size (reminds me of the Premier actually, in size and not far from it in looks, at least earlier 90s models). It's just the economy cars are made a bit to economically for US standards. The GTA 2.0L was great, the 1.7L Alliance wasn't bad -- it's just the 1.4L that flopped, especially since a much higher percentage were equipped with auto over here. The one that got Motor Trend's "Car of the Year" (wasn't it MT?) award was a stick model -- auto wasn't available in a test model. I wonder if that was on purpose -- orchestrated by someone at AMC who realized the auto model wouldn't!
  test so well...

On April 27, 2005 Mahoney, John wrote:

> "I'm concerned about the current situation GM is in."
> 
>  - Chairman Hiroshi Okuda, in a 4/25/05 comment on possibly helping GM by
> raising his prices, since US Toyota production is now at full capacity.
> 
> 
> Renault suffered from the "French-cars-in-America" syndrome for which
> neither cause nor treatment have ever been found.  French cars can drive the
> most treacherous roads worldwide, but can't survive on the smooth streets of
> America.  French engines can find winning Formulae, can rally Trans port to
> peak, Siberia to Africa and taste victories since racing began, but they
> can't be fixed in a Main Street dealership or a backyard garage.  Something
> must be lost in translation.   (Or maybe there's a difference between the
> French and the Americans...
> 
> >>
> you could have a Renault gold plated with diamonds and rubys and they STILL
> would suck!!!
> <<
> 
> just as there's a difference between the French and the Japanese.)
> 
> http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0504/26/1auto-162689.htm


=============================================================
Posted by wixList Archiver -- http://www.amxfiles.com/wixlist