Thadeus III

Four Myths from Detroit's Auto Show

Ok so let's rehash the past. Early Honda Accords (1979-1982 were rust buckets. They couldn't keep fenders on them. They also had a tendency to start using oil at relatively low mileage and then gas mileage would also suffer. Google it. Nissan (Datsun) engines have always had problems with oil seals failing. Even later model 1998 - 2005. I could go on. Both currently made Honda Accord ( harsh ride, poor seat comfort, poor mpg) and Toyota Camry ( slipping transmissions) are suffering from quality and performance issues.But how about this from last week:


Zacks.com
Time to Hit the Car Lots
Thursday January 8, 10:16 am ET
By Paul Raman, CFA

We think it is an excellent time to hit the car lots. Sales are slow, inventories are high, raw materials (steel, chemicals, plastic, rubber) are depressed, and interest rates are near zero. Demand is off due to the credit crunch. Dealers and manufacturers are hurting and are hungry for business.

Despite the bad publicity recently, Chevrolet and Chrysler have some of the BEST products in the market. The non-Chevy part of General Motors (NYSE: GM - News) must be restructured. Also, Honda (NYSE: HMC - News) has emerged to be a Big-4 player in the US. They work and act more domestic than even Chrysler.

We were DISAPPOINTED with Ford , TOYOTA and NISSAN , and feel they have TIRED OLD product lineups. A strengthening Japanese Yen may force Toyota and Nissan to become the Big-5 and Big-6 in the US. Toyota's QUALITY ratings were the LOWEST among all models studied, especially for the pickup/SUV part of the product line.