Big 3 as efficient as Asian automakers?
Do you feel sorry for the Big 3?This morning on Behind the Wheel, Phil Lebeau points out that US automakers have finally caught up to Japanese automakers when it comes to assembly plant efficiency. Now, its time for the Big 3 to change perception, he argues.
O.K., I guess I can agree with that, but its the efficiency of the Big 3's product that has become the real question. Of the 6 top compacts and subcompacts, according to JD Power, not one is an American made vehicle, not ONE. When it comes to hybrid vehicles, only Ford has been in the game, albeit as a PR gimmick.
Yes, vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, can help change perception, but is it too little too late? Probably not, but until US automakers convert paper plans and PR campaigns into reality, the Big 3 shouldn't expect perception to change much.
It took many years for US automakers to match Asian assembly plant efficiency, let's hope it doesn't take as long for Americans to catch the Japanese on vehicle efficiency.
Labels: fuel efficiency, Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:20 AM
2 Comments:
looks like hiring jim press was a good idea. i wonder if toyota is missing him yet?
i'm not sure that jim press is responsible for chryslers' big increase in efficiency because he hasn't been there that long. at least he can't solely be responsible.
i'm not much of uaw supporter, but you have to give some credit to the uaw for finally realizing that they are big part of the efficiency equation. for once, i'll give some kudos to the uaw.
hopefully, jim press can bring some prius kaizen to chrysler.
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