Mister Jimmy

Why I'd Avoid Toyota, The #1 Automaker in the U.S.

So, U.S. government ownership of GM and Chrysler will ensure their success, to the disadvantage of Toyota? Seems fair. The JAPANESE government has partnered with Toyota for decades.

How Many Automakers Survive the Long Haul?

GM has designers, engineers, and planners as creative and smart as any in Europe and Asia. Its leadership did not address spiraling legacy (health care and pension) costs long ago and failed to use its global footprint to compete effectively in key segments. Yes, the new Malibu is a formidable competitor to Camry and Accord, and GM builds an awesome truck, but there is no excuse for a 100-year-old company not to have a vehicle competing effectively with the Corolla and Civic. Emerging markets gravitate to that vehicle class and smaller, something GM should have recognized long ago. Look for the new GM board to replace Fritz Henderson with a visionary outsider, much as Bill Ford brought in an outsider to run his firm. This iconic old firm will never be what it once was, and that's undoubtedly a good thing.

Chrysler, GM Travails Could Be a Boon for Honda

Do you think that when the Japanese utterly and completely control the U.S. vehicle market they just might use one of those little Priuses to drive up our collective butts?

Ten Cars Detroit Should Copy

"...they could run them on sludge and still be greener than Detroit". You had to have taken a big gulp of the Kool-Aid for that one, Rick. Especially amusing given the hushed oil-sludge class action lawsuit consumers won against Toyota a couple of years ago.