Subject: 
Follow up on my .02


Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:27:26 -0500
Date:    




I'm now in my 70's, grew up a died in the wool Chevy fan. I was also an owner operator 
for over 10 year. There you learn to maintain equipment, or sit alongside the highway, 
while also paying huge repair bills as a result.
 
My wife and I had always made an effort to buy domestic, when domestic still had some 
meaning.
 
The imports began coming into America in the 50's. GM, Ford and Chrysler were 
oblivious of the lessons to be learned about quality of product, resale value, and fuel 
economy from the imports, particularly the Japanese. Today, while the imports can build 
world class quality cars in America, with American workers, the only makers that haven't 
mastered that ability are; GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
 
Anyway, after decades of suffering GM's arrogance in customer service, and automobiles 
assembled from a parts bin, we went to Ford. Baaad move. After endless recall notices, 
and check engine lights - with minimal mileage on the cars, we bought a Maxima in 2000. 
No way would I ever again consider anything from Detroit. Even if it's assembled in 
Mexico or Canada, and with a made in Asia drive train, as many are. Although marketed 
as a domestic product.
 
Sporadic quality, is not quality, it's a crap shoot.
 
When I left Ford, I wrote a letter to Ford, probably shredded at their mail center. I asked 
why it was that Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc., could pre-engineer an automobile, while 
the domestics just tried to post patch their product until the warranty ran out. Surprise, 
no answer.
 
So today, GM and Ford, with all of the brain power represented by their brass - are 
wondering why a growing percentage of American's, are totally immune to, or uninterested 
in what ever it is that they turn out. The engineer's and designer's know already. And as 
usual customer service doesn't give a damn.
 
No more, no way, no how
 
Al

==========================================
I wrote Al, asking him what Ford model so tested his resolve to buy domestic. 
This was his reply:
==========================================

My last Ford product was a 1998 Contour, 'nuf said? But I has probably purchased 
seven Ford cars and pickups, after leaving GM. Only one of those products came close 
to giving reliable and dependable transportation.
 
 
The Maxima by contrast is remarkable, no trim falling off, no massive electrical systems 
failing, and it still has a good resale. Amazing. Only our evidently over educated brass in 
Detroit, is capable of ignoring the contrast.