First time in 102 years: Big 3 lose majority market share to imports

[Hunid Racks]

Originally Posted by Porkfriedrice

In summary; clean house my a**

How about cleaning out both houses, the Senate and Congress from the idiots that are on the take from the liars from Japan.

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by camaro_freak

innovation and styling were what drove Americans to buy vehicles in the first place. GM is NOW just starting to remember that again.

Look at how well the newer cars are doing (winning awards, praise, etc). Great cars like the Enclave, Aura, the new crossovers, and next year's CTS and Malibu are all great vehicles inside and out. GM is finally getting the grove back. Too bad it took them decades to do it

I agree. It's a shame that GM, for the most part, sat on their ass for a decade while the imports were gaining recognition. However that's all over...there's nothing we can do about it, but complain, and complaing doen't do anything productive!
GM is starting to realize their old ways of doing things isn't going to cut it anymore. The market is changing and becoming more cut-throat. GM's on the right track, but it's going to take awhile! I'm afraid we're going to be in for more of the stories for the next few years until, either 1)GM gets the recognition is deserves when it comes to building class leading vehicles, or 2)Toyota impodes...haha

[DuSpinnst]

How long has the Domestic Industry been under 50% when you subtract Rental Fleet Sales? 5 years? 10 years?

Also there are only 3 Domestics, and to top it off they don't even count Foreign owned subsidiaries in the numbers (so no Saab, Volvo, Jag, or LR).

Basically if you can have some of your cars not count, and be outnumbered by at least a 2 to 1 margin, I'd say 50% market share is DAMN good.

Go look at Europe if you disagree.

[Commodore]

Originally Posted by 1487

there are 7 major import manufacturers and 3 major domestic manufacturers. This should be no surprise. There is no way for the Big 3 to remain dominant in such a competitive market.

That's not a fair comparison..the Big 3 are only 3 companies but they have MANY brands. US brands are at least equal to (maybe even outnumber) foreigners.

Anyway Congratulations import-humping America. I hope it swings back..this is just wrong.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by Commodore

That's not a fair comparison..the Big 3 are only 3 companies but they have MANY brands. US brands are at least equal to (maybe even outnumber) foreigners.

Anyway Congratulations import-humping America. I hope it swings back..this is just wrong.

Over HALF of Ford's current Brands don't count!

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by Butz

Tell me why it's not happening in Japan, for example.

OUr market is way way too attractive for nearly every vehicle maker.

Consider what we prefer to drive now. Our preference is for large vehicles at high prices with minimal safety and fuel efficiency equipment ( meaning low cost ). We prefer to drive vehicles with a built-in profit of $10000-$15000 per unit. In the economy range we prefer our vehicles cheap with no special features.

Nowhere else in the world is there a population that's willing to buy such $40000 vehicles and give the vehicle maker a $15000 profit per unit. Most other countries are still in $4000 junkers.

In Europe they do want their vehicles nice with all the amenities but they have to be small and ultra efficient by our standards.

In Japan the No 1 vehcle forever ( like the F150 here ) has been the Corolla. The big volume goes down in size from there. Who wants to break into the Japanese market, which is about half size of ours in NA, in order to sell kei-cars? There's nothing of interest there.

[vcs2600]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

Over HALF of Ford's current Brands don't count!

I thought Saab, Volvo, Jag etc sales were always lumped in with the Big Three sales totals.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by vcs2600

I thought Saab, Volvo, Jag etc sales were always lumped in with the Big Three sales totals.

According to one of the articles they don't. Which is crap.

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by Porkfriedrice

Really. Isnt this the same arguement used by import lovers around the US? Now im not a lover of GM, but i think the steps they have taken lately are i nthe right direction. Even then, the product costs were astronomical, especially compared to the newcomers. Pension and retirement funds are a big part of what pulling all domestic companys down and the reason why Mercedes basically gave money to Cerebrus to buy Chrysler. Big trucks is simply what gave them a return in their investment. It makes economic sence. The domestics didnt even make money on small cars on average so the main reason was to grab sales that were otherwise going to the imports. Downsizing like you see today is the solution. Not the whole solution, but part of it.

I find it ironic that the Camaro was built as a competitor to the wildly sucessfull Mustang, which in turn was based of of Fords own compact car at the time. The small Falcon.

In summary; clean house my a**

gotta love stream of conscious posts

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

According to one of the articles they don't. Which is crap.

You could make an argument either way. That is, prior to, um, yesterday, you would have to call Mercedes a domestic if you call Saab one (if you go by headquarters of the brand). Or, alternatively, you would call Saab a domestic, but then you would have to not count Dodge, Chrysler, or Jeep as such (if you go by ownership). Of course, now Chrysler is a domestic again, but...

[Ssom]

Originally Posted by Butz

Tell me why it's not happening in Japan, for example.

It is, at least foreign brands. However, most of these brands don't cover the Kei car or taxi market and are out of synch with what the Japanese buyers want

BMW
Mercedes Benz
Jeep
Peugeot
Renault
Land Rover
Volvo
Audi
Porsche
Hyundai
Euro Ford
Opel
Fiat
Volkswagen
Saab

Are just some of the foreign brands that are in Japan and cars that I see turn up here as used cars in decent numbers.

[ChevroletRevived]

Well, well, well...what do you know? They got it back for August!

[HoosierRon]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Well, well, well...what do you know? They got it back for August!

What is it?!?

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

What is it?!?

Majority Share?

[bouda]

What what!?