Comments on: Technology to Detroit's rescue?

CNET's Brian Cooley says technology is the answer but most motor companies still don't get the message.

[tomreynolds]

Why I don't buy American cars? It isn't technology!

Brian,
Spare me more initial cost and repair opportunities by adding needless technology.

I stopped buying American cars because they're unreliable from new and uneconomical to (frequently) repair beyond 50,000 miles. The sole exception that I know of was the Saturn SL Series. They were as bulletproof and fun to drive as any Corolla or Civic. Unfortunately GM/Saturn terminated the successful experiment of building a Japanese-style car and returned to the generic GM parts bin.

Detroit needs to skip the quality marketing jargon (and the extra toys) and learn to deliver the real thing! Toyota and Honda didn't beat them with toys, they beat them with quality and reliability.

[cbuser]

Why Most People Prefer Foreign Cars

Like a previous comment from Tom, I disagree that technology for added gizmos is a solution to the boring US cars. I believe that technology is a key ingredient is an overall good design. Brian seems to be talking about accessorizing an already flawed product. Does anyone really buy a car for the stuff on the side? No.

Boring comes in many flavors?

What's the most important thing about buying a new car in a certain price point? Some would argue reliability and would most likely turn to a Japanese car. I have owned a few American cars and despite my somewhat bad experience the basic problem regarding reliability is that it is in the stone age compared to other foreign cars. The problem is the basic design (what's under the skin). The Japanese car designing philosophy is for consistency in manufacturing and minimizing failures (no returns to the dealer). German car designs are more about over design which may or may not be reliable.

Another key ingredient to purchasing a car is the easiness on the eyes. Lets face it sheet metal does go along way. Honestly why would anyone want a stale looking Ford 500 or Pontiac G6. These cars have no real innovation in styling. Don't all Pontiacs look the same? How have they fooled everyone for so long?

And if that isn't enough how about driving experience. No one ever complained about the driving dynamics of a BMW. It just feels right like the extension of the senses. How do they get it consistently right and US car manufacturers stuggle to copy and never succeed.

In all it is technology which drives the fundamental part of a product not the icing. Brian just has it plain wrong.

[Ipod Apple]

solution to the boring US cars

http://www.analogstereo.com/audi_a8_owners_manual.htm

[peedycat]

Detroit's Problems

The items you list are not technology, but just frills like tail fins, chrome strips, and body portholes. Real improvements are available from Toyota: full hybrid engines, continuously variable transmissions, and efficient high compression engines using regular gasoline.

The plug in hybrid was the suggested future automobile in the Spring 2005 Tau Beta Pi journal. With this feature, my Prius with my driving might average 100 mpg! The automobile is a necessity, but it is also one of the major contributors to the greenhouse effect. This negative effect can be significantly reduced.

Where possible, we should be using electric power. That is the cleanest form of energy at the point of use. It can also be produced in massive amounts by nuclear reactors. They represent the safest, cleanest and least polluting of the large energy sources available today. Producing hydrogen, because it uses 2 to 5 times the energy input as it can produce, is a politically correct stupidity. The use of nuclear power, hybrid vehicles, oil shale, and tar sand can make the US totally independent of foreign energy supplies. If energy costs are equalized for energy content for all high energy content sources, all home heating and industrial energy needs will convert to electric power, further reducing hydrocarbon consumption. With all this in mind, the Arabs might have to learn to eat sand and drink oil.

I could add a fair amount of additional comment, but I really do not like to type. Reasonable responses are always appreciated by me.