[osv_alero]

This is part of an email I sent a friend that I thought would create great discussion here.

What have the Germans done different than the American makes in the past 25 years?
1. Both pushed for SUVs (so did the Japanese due to high profits)
2. Most German vehicles get worst gas mileage than the equivalent American or Asian vehicle
3. German vehicles have moved to the bottom of the quality ranking when they used to be at the top (though they have improved in the past 2 years, so has everyone else)
4. Can you name a hybrid German vehicle like the Prius?
5. Though they pushed for diesels, they have not given the US the # of vehicles that have been asked for.

The big differences;
1. As the German companies have gotten in to trouble, their government has financially helped them out. The Japanese government has assisted toyota/honda/nissan all along. GM, Ford and Chrysler get kicked to the curb.
2. American's love to bash on stuff they make and have a love affair with everything German. It doesn't matter if the American product is better, people will put it down.
3. German and Asian automakers are not saddled with health care and retirement costs. This is the number one reason the Big 3 have no money left. Maybe socialized medicine would be cheaper than corporate bailouts.
4. 1 positive to the public difference; German CEOs don't make the amount that US CEOs do which make the big 3 CEOs look like Jack__s.

Do the CEOs at the Big 3 have issues - YES
Should they be replaced - If that is what it takes
Did they do anything different than the rest of the industry - Not really