Re: Toyotas & Honda ETC

Mar 17, 2010 3 Replies
M

While what you say is true, I believe he was referring to vehicles within the SAME price range, not all vehicles. After all the most common reason one picks a particular vehicle is what it costs.


tc wrote:
>> Toyotas go too fast, Honda's cant stop
>>
>> does anyone think auto companies are any different in quality they use
>> the same suppliers, same design shops, same material suppliers, assembled
>> from parts from all over the world. some use the same tool shops for
>> production tooling, same robot suppliers, etc. I know what the replies
>> will be try and give some constructive feed back, not GM Sucks, UAW
>> problems, overpaid managers,etc
>
> That's like saying "There's not much difference between different brands
> of batteries (or tires as the case may be) - there are only three
> manufacturers of all of them anyway - they just put different labels on > them".
>
> What you're saying is certainly true to a large extent, but the nominal
> manufacturer can specify certain optional materials, processes, and
> features from the same part/subassembly manufacturer that can very much
> affect (and effect) reliability/longevity - just like they can make a tire
> with a premium rubber compound or a battery with more "guts" in the same
> plant (on the same line) in which they make the inferior product. >
> Example: Do you think the nominal auto manufacturer whose headlights turn
> cloudy after 5 years have them made by a different manufacturer than the
> nominal auto manufacturer whose headlight assemblies are still almost
> water clear after 12 years? Not necessarily. What base material did they
> specify and pay for? Did they pay extra for a premium UV-resistant
> coating, or did they pinch pennies and have one that is only so-so? I
> fully expect you can get a variety of equivalent options from any number
> of the handful of potential OEM suppliers.
>
> In that respect, the nominal manufacturer can choose the quality level of
> every component based on their own formula of vehicle price point,
> long-term public perception of their brand, etc., etc., etc.
>
> --
> Bill Putney
> (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my address
> with the letter 'x')
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M

You may be right, as that would explain the high volume of dodge neons and chevy cavaliers on the road, but what brought you to make this statement? I haven't seen any proof of that other than the volume of a certain car on the road, which could be just good marketing.

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M

One of my several jobs in the automobile business in my time was Group Sales Manager, for one of the largest mega-dealerships groups on the east cost. We operated 26 multi-franchised stores in six eastern states. We sold hundreds of thousands of vehicles from just about every manufacturer.

I can assure you the most asked LAST question we would hear from a buyer before they signed on the dotted line was, "How much is my monthly payment?," or "What amount do I need to write on my check?

That is one reason Toyota sells more four door Camrys than Lexus LS four doors cars. If a buyer can afford a Lincoln they are not likely to buy a Ford, unless it is something like a Mustang. Even then is likely a second or even third vehicle. ;)

You may be right, as that would explain the high volume of dodge neons and chevy cavaliers on the road, but what brought you to make this statement? I haven't seen any proof of that other than the volume of a certain car on the road, which could be just good marketing.

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B

"...In that respect, the nominal manufacturer can choose the quality level of every component based on their own formula of vehicle price point, long-term public perception of their brand, etc., etc., etc."

That covers cars within a given "class", range, or whatever you want to call it, as well as over all classes/ranges/whatever.

I mean, you have to admit that "etc., etc., etc." is pretty damn broad!! :)

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