http://yahoo.businessweek.com/autos/...117_052976.htm

Good read that has been echoeing our sentiments. At least SOMEONE in the media is aware of this bias/perception problem

 

Very good read. And he really hits the main points. Once someone's perceptions have been set, it takes a lot of time and effort (in addition to great product, obviously) to change them.

 

Very good article. It definitely hits alot of good points.

 

I attended the Detroit NAIAS yesterday. (Why I don't know??) With regard to performance vehicles, alot of people @ the Porche, BMW, Audi exibit. They are expensive, and, look good. Not much of those people would have considered a Mustang or Corvette, or, even look @ them. But, from listening to the comments, they were the types... hey look @ me. Of course, I don't fit there. Not with my POS 1997 blown Camaro with probably 700 - 800hp @ the fly, and, a road course suspension. I had a good discussion with the Audi R8 ($160K) exibit guy. Real gearhead stuff (OBD2/ PCM/ AFR/ FI/ etc.) I soon had a small audience. He was very interrested and respectful. Then he asked me about the big three. I told him, people don't want to buy Detroit iron anymore (my observation). I will never buy a Porche, and, I have many Porche kills. Sad, but, it appears that most American perception is... "Detroit builds junk."

 

This article reads to me like rehashes of similar articles from the past two years?

It should be dated January 17, 2005

 

The import quotas and related launch of Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus were new to me. Nice read. The problem for domestic makes is obvious and this gives some back story to it.

 

Good read.

One problem that I never hear mentioned or even worse dismissed is the used car market. To think that people buying used cars does not indirectly affect the Manufacturers is too simplistic. Most people dont buy new when they get their first car or even when they aren't doing so well older than that. Some people buy their first new car early 20's which means they've been driving used cars for about 5 years, and when it comes time for new they are going to buy what they know. I dont think GM can change perceptions of younger buyers 16-20 for 4-5 years other than their parents cars regaurdless. I think this is even more important than the 21-25 crowd today that has already formed opinions. That is outside of the halo Vette and Camaro like cars everyone wants so bad. Honda built its reputation on lightweight, well built, cheap, under powered economy cars that lasted about 300k mi. The new imports are not light weight, cheap, or even have the economical advantage of the past. My opinion is it will take 5 years of quality and competitve vehicles that last with great styling , along with halo cars to truely change perception that have been hurt by the past 20-30 years.