The steadily disappearing American car

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/06/the-steadily-disappearing-american-car.html

by spking • 8 years ago

25 35 8 years ago

I see plenty of cars on the road. They are Toyota’s and Honda’s.

I love how American companies are justifying weak sales as the economy and not their complete failure to make a compelling vehicle in the sedan space.

jehlakj• 8 years ago

Adding to your observation, I’ve seen far more early 2000s Toyota’s or Honda’s than any other brands that old.

carlivar• 8 years ago

They've been making compelling vehicles but no one cares because everyone is still scarred by 70s-90s quality. Would you even test drive a Buick if you were in the market for a Toyota or Honda?

Also, there are far more American cars on the road in the Midwest compared to the urban coasts, so your observation should include geographic location.

tdb7893• 8 years ago

I've lived in the Midwest my whole life and the trucks here are American but the sedans (which most families have at least one of) are still Toyota or Honda

joneholland3• 8 years ago

My wife owned a Chevy Malibu (mid 2000s) when we met and it was complete garbage from the tired design to the terrible build quality.

I’ve sat in more recent American cars and they are the same way still. Even flagship cars like the mustang and corvette have rattles and plastic heavy interiors.

They haven’t shaken off the reputation because they are still crap.

ianai2• 8 years ago

Pretty sure you mean "still scared by the quality." At least, the people in my family sure have more issues than they should.

jjeaff• 8 years ago

I think the new Lincoln sedans (and crossover SUVs) are very compelling. Beautifully styled on the outside with amazing interior. They also comes in hybrid models.

Their highest end sedan with extras is comparable in quality and sleekness to a Mercedes or BMW. (And about the same price I think).

joneholland3• 8 years ago

Why would I buy a Lincoln when I can buy a BMW for the same price?

Getting the product wrong is more than just the design and build quality. It’s also picking the right price point and knowing when to rebrand.

Hyundai knew they couldn’t compete with their reputation against Audi and BMW, but a new luxury spin out (Genesis) could.

American automakers are arrogant fools.

Bradlinc• 8 years ago

I really liked the look of the Lincoln Continental but when I found out it wasn't rear wheel drive (or a rear wheel drive biased all wheel drive system) then I lost interest.

bytematic• 8 years ago

What's wrong with the Chevy Malibu or Ford Fusion? IMO they look very nice and the dashs make more sense.

JohnClark1337• 8 years ago

Am I missing the statistics for foreign auto makers? Maybe people just don't like American made cars?

jpeg_hero• 8 years ago

I’ve heard this said, that Tesla made a big mistake making a sedan Model 3 instead of a cross over suv.

Made the wrong car.

solarkraft2• 8 years ago

Nope. "SUV"s are more expensive, less efficient (and look worse imo). They have demand for model 3. A fat one will be next.

toomuchtodo• 8 years ago

Model Y crossover design is currently in progress based on Tesla job postings.

ianai2• 8 years ago

I think bankruptcy will be next. Not sarcasm.

fred_is_fred• 8 years ago

Headline: "The steadily disappearing American car"

Story: "People aren't buying Sedans anymore"

Title seems a bit clickbait to me.

rasz• 8 years ago

Headline: "The steadily disappearing American car"

Story: "People aren't buying Sedans anymore"

Reality: "People arent buying US Sedans anymore, because US automakers keep pumping trucks"

closeparen• 8 years ago

An domestic vehicle is as much a statement about nationalism and trade policy as anything else. Those politics are highly corelated with low population density, and therefore large vehicles. It makes complete sense that most small urban vehicles would be imports, while most exurban SUVs are domestic.

khhh35575544• 8 years ago

I rented a US built sedan a while back. I remember being amused at the huge panel gaps, cheap plastic everywhere giving off a strong chemical odour, and the fact the thing carried on rocking on its super soft suspension noticeably after you came to a halt. I cannot fathom why anyone would buy something like that rather than a BMW for example if the prices were similar, bar extreme patriotism.

stephengillie• 8 years ago

US built sedan
huge panel gaps, cheap plastic everywhere giving off a strong chemical odour

Tesla?

s2g3• 8 years ago

rather than a BMW for example if the prices were similar

They aren't.

s2g3• 8 years ago

and here I want a smaller car.

I'd actually like a small SUV for the practicality, but I just don't really like them.

sjg0073• 8 years ago

F150 is a class of its own.

The steadily disappearing American car

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