Jay Leno tells Detroit to make better cars.

[SVTKAR3]

Posted May 24th 2008 7:02PM by Michael Harley
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Celebrities

"It ain't that hard folks -- make better cars." That's the word aimed at Detroit from Jay Leno, the late-night television host and avid hands-on car nut. According to Leno, nobody builds trucks as well as Americans, as he cites the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado as examples. Same goes with performance cars. "The Corvette Z06 has 505 horsepower, comes with a big warranty, and can hit 200 miles per hour. It weighs almost exactly the same as a half-million-dollar Porsche Carrera GT and gets higher mileage - 26 miles per gallon," states Leno.
However, Americans just can't seem to build a low-bucks economy car. "In order to make the more expensive car more appealing, U.S. companies feel as though they have to dumb down the cheaper car," the comedian reasons. "When you get into a high-priced, well-made American car today and the key is in the ignition, you hear a melodic bong, bong. But when you get in a cheap American car, like a rental, and the key is left in, it goes plink, plink, plink. It's just horrible. Every time you use the turn signal, it's like breaking a chicken leg."
Leno suggests that Detroit follow the example of Harley-Davidson, which turned around its quality-control problems and re-established itself as a market leader. Leno adds, "I believe that, all things being equal, Americans will buy American. It just has to be as good as the competition; it doesn't have to be better."
[Source: MSNBC]

[E. Haskell]

I think they're workin' on it Jay.

[Lunden]

Not hard enough but yes Jay...We are work'in on it

[mbukukanyau]

One last thing: No matter what happens, do not expect all American cars to go Eurosize. American buttocks are not getting any smaller.

That is an awesome quote

[member12]

Jay's right.

They are working on it, but the could move much faster when it comes to economy cars. The Malibu and Fusion are a good start, though. I'd like to see that effort put into the Focus and Cobalt.

[mbukukanyau]

The Malibu is really better than Camry.. All round...
And The new Aura is going to blow em out of the water... So will the Fusion.

Meanwhile, Fiesta will also come soon enough

[chevydlrmn]

GM viewed Malibu one of the most important launches in history, along with the 900 Silverado. I wish they would have viewed Cobalt that important. They still sell well, but if only the next gen has the effort of the Malibu and 900's. Not so sure what to expect. I'm scared that the style of interior is heading the wrong way, (aveo opposed to Malibu).

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by member12

Jay's right.

They are working on it, but the could move much faster when it comes to economy cars. The Malibu and Fusion are a good start, though. I'd like to see that effort put into the Focus and Cobalt.

Seriously, bla bla if they worked as profitable companies, long drawn out **** fit right there, they could have had different teams working on the revitalizations of different models. Instead of this lets make one car the best and **** on everything else in the brand.

[GM-Joe]

He is partially correct, meaning the Big 3 have too much over head. But he also says things that are so 1980's, such as "if you build something as good, people will buy it." I don't think so, the last time I drove a Corolla, it was the worst car I had even driven; at least in the last 15 years. As for the Civic, that is a sharp car, but I still haven't heard many good reviews on this car.

[a_v_s]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

The Malibu is really better than Camry.. All round...

For the most part yes, but the Malibu is still short on features such as pushbutton start, DVD navigation, bluetooth, etc.. (Tho I hear that bluetooth may be coming in a year or two)

Turn by turn nav is ok, but it's not the same. Especially since it doesn't work if you don't get cell reception, such as in the bowels of a parking structure that doesn't have cell repeaters, or if you live in an area that has no reception. (Contrary to popular believe OnStar does NOT use the satellite for voice/data transfer)

[gardnet1]

Some truth to his statements but let's put it in perspective. I will take a best in quality Fusion/Milan or a the well executed new Malibu any day over the sludge-o-matic, tranny imploding camry or the Clark Griswald inspired accord.

It would have been a nice time for Jay to have mentioned that new models such as Fiesta and Camaro are on the way.

[Ttple]

"I believe that, all things being equal, Americans will buy American. It just has to be as good as the competition; it doesn't have to be better."

That's what I've been saying for years. American people will gladly buy an American car that can compete. They don't have to re-invent the wheel.

[Fletch Radford]

Originally Posted by SVTKAR3

Posted May 24th 2008 7:02PM by Michael Harley
Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Celebrities

"It ain't that hard folks -- make better cars." That's the word aimed at Detroit from Jay Leno, the late-night television host and avid hands-on car nut. According to Leno, nobody builds trucks as well as Americans, as he cites the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado as examples. Same goes with performance cars. "The Corvette Z06 has 505 horsepower, comes with a big warranty, and can hit 200 miles per hour. It weighs almost exactly the same as a half-million-dollar Porsche Carrera GT and gets higher mileage - 26 miles per gallon," states Leno.
However, Americans just can't seem to build a low-bucks economy car. "In order to make the more expensive car more appealing, U.S. companies feel as though they have to dumb down the cheaper car," the comedian reasons. "When you get into a high-priced, well-made American car today and the key is in the ignition, you hear a melodic bong, bong. But when you get in a cheap American car, like a rental, and the key is left in, it goes plink, plink, plink. It's just horrible. Every time you use the turn signal, it's like breaking a chicken leg."
Leno suggests that Detroit follow the example of Harley-Davidson, which turned around its quality-control problems and re-established itself as a market leader. Leno adds, "I believe that, all things being equal, Americans will buy American. It just has to be as good as the competition; it doesn't have to be better."
[Source: MSNBC]

Yes he is a car guy, but this sounds just like typical celebrity posturing to me, you know "hey look at me blaa blaaa Detroit blaa blaaa Auto Makers blaa BAD blaaaaa, but its ok that I say this because I have a big car collection." Let's not forget Jay who helped YOU with some of your project cars (like your Toronado, LS7 powered roadster, 572 powered Buick, etc, etc), Instead focusing on things that EVERYONE already knows, why not focus on the new good things that are happening: like the new Malibu, and the Hybrids coming from both GM and Ford (you know Toyota isn't the only one that makes them), build quality has improved greatly through the years and it is starting to show, but I digress, since it is so much easier to bash Detroit, why risk your celeb status on defending it.

[Buickman]

the quality is there, it's the perception of that quality where we are suffering. maybe someone will come up with an effective, low cost method of marketing to communicate this message and thereby alleviate this trouble.

oh wait...someone did. too bad RIR isn't interested.

[cbennie2]

Originally Posted by a_v_s

For the most part yes, but the Malibu is still short on features such as pushbutton start, DVD navigation, bluetooth, etc.. (Tho I hear that bluetooth may be coming in a year or two)

Turn by turn nav is ok, but it's not the same. Especially since it doesn't work if you don't get cell reception, such as in the bowels of a parking structure that doesn't have cell repeaters, or if you live in an area that has no reception. (Contrary to popular believe OnStar does NOT use the satellite for voice/data transfer)

If you're in a parking structure....do you really need the turn by turn to tell you to follow the only lane leading you the way out?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?