First off -- GREAT TOPIC!!!!
It's about time someone approaches this subject in a calm manner
2" class="inlineimg" /> cheers to Bill B.
Okay. I am somewhat closer to the american auto industry than most of the 'kids' on this forum. I work for a large american truck manufacturer, that has some seriously close ties to Ford Motor Co. I have worked on joint venture vehicles closely with both Ford and Mazda engineers and management, so I hope I can offer some insight to your basic point.
I am going to make some generalizations here, so bear with me, I hope I can explain my self out...
Most americans, IMHO are uncultured rednecks and have ZERO appreciation for what it takes to produce an automobile. Nearly anyone who lives in fly-over country could care less about style or engineering. WHen the average per capita is less than $30K out her, it's all about the money. 35K for a 3 series? for that money I can get a mini van, suv, or buick lesabre. Its a perception of getting more metal for your money that drives the masses away from expensive imports.
Why can't Ford or Chevy build a car of the same quality/dynamics/etc..? Because we won't buy it. A $35K ford focus? $45K tarus? C'mon... Where do you think all the flack about a $60K VW is coming from? A $35K camaro is just absurd to most americans, they perceive that there isn't enough metal in the car to warrant the high cost.
If it costs an extra $50K in tooling to make some stylish creases in a sheet metal panel, Ford would find a way to not make those creases and settle on a cheaper style. If a bracket costs 10 cents and lasts 10 years, or 5 cents and 3 years, chances are, Ford will choose the 5 cent bracket. Offer more than black, tan and grey interior colors? TOo much money. If it takes an extra 2 men on the assembly line to install something, they will find a way to change the design of the part so that its simpler to install, even if it looks worse. Take a look at a lesabre's interor you'll see what I mean...
And we eat them up. Americans are sold on perception. Perceived convienence, perceived value. DOes a soccer mom care that her mini van is a turd in the performance dept? No. But she probably paid more money for the one with the sliding door on BOTH sides!
Most americans are lazy. To lazy to shift, to lazy to open their own trunk, to lazy close their own doors, etc... Look at the 'convienence' features on some high end american vehicles. Are they on the European vehicles? um...
So how am I different from my redneck, lazy generalizations? I'm not, but I do have and education, and can appreciate what it takes to bring a vehicle to market.
Edit -- As to most of the people enganged in this forum...
