Can the WTO Successfully Police Global Auto-Parts Industry?
By Tim Esterdahl
A recent World Trade Organization ruling that favors U.S. automakers may pave the way for an advantageous ruling on another U.S. complaint; however, such a ruling could hit consumers in the pocketbook.
In May the WTO ruled that Chinese tariffs on vehicles exported from the U.S. to China violated world trade policies; those tariffs have been eliminated. Now the U.S. government is hoping the WTO will provide a similar outcome to its charge that China subsidizes its auto-parts exporters. This practice gives Chinese exporters an unfair advantage over U.S. auto-parts suppliers, according to the Obama administration. The subsidies allow Chinese auto-parts makers to undercut the prices of their competitors. This explains why American consumers see so many "Made in China" labels on parts in U.S. auto stores. To keep costs down and consumers happy, these retailers stock the lowest-priced merchandise that meets U.S. specifications. That merchandise often comes from China.
We contacted the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association, which has a long history of trying to bring global auto suppliers together. This was the assessment SEMA offered in a statement:
"The free flow of U.S., and foreign, branded specialty automotive equipment benefits everyone — enthusiasts and industry alike and is a proven engine of global economic growth. … A condition of joining the WTO [there are 159 WTO members, and China is among them] is a pledge to avoid instituting policies which would interfere with trade.
"At issue — and the basis for a U.S. case pending before the WTO — are Chinese subsidies of auto parts firms which agree to manufacture in China and meet government-set export targets. The incentives include grants, loans and preferential tax treatment among other benefits. WTO outright bans such export subsidies due to their market distorting nature.
"While U.S.-branded performance products are manufactured worldwide, including in China, a significant portion of these products are made in the U.S. American firms should reasonably expect to gain market share at home and abroad if they can produce better products at more attractive prices than their competitors. But U.S. companies shouldn't have to compete against firms receiving government subsidies and shouldn't be forced to make decisions on where they manufacture based on a government's manipulation of the marketplace."
If the WTO rules in favor of the U.S., like it did on the auto export issue, this could be good news and bad news for consumers. On one hand, U.S. auto part manufacturers (and their employees) would benefit from such a ruling. On the other, consumers might pay more for repairs and after-market parts.
Parts Prices Could Rise
Most parts from original equipment manufacturers are made in the U.S., Japan, Mexico or Canada. However, "some of the parts that make up each component come from Chinese manufacturers," said Jason Lancaster, president of Spork Marketing, which specializes in auto parts marketing. "Therefore, all parts [manufacturer or otherwise] may tick up a couple of percent in terms of cost."
Pickup truck prices could also rise with automakers passing any increase in parts prices to the consumer. The 2015 Ford F-150 is a good example. Aluminum costs more to produce than steel. Will Ford eat the price increase or pass it along to consumers? We don't know yet.
Auto repairs done with manufacturer parts would get more expensive if the WTO rules in favor of the U.S. A&J Collision Repair owner Jody Gatchell said that there are a few insurance companies that require manufacturer parts be used in collision repairs. Once again, like Ford, the increased prices of these parts have to be paid for somehow. Most likely it will come in the form of higher premiums and/or those insurance companies dropping the manufacturer equipment requirement.
Effect on After-Market Prices
A favorable ruling would affect after-market body parts more than most segments of the auto industry since most of them are manufactured in China. This could impact insurance rates, but probably not. Labor costs more than parts when it comes to repairs, and the cost to repair a particular vehicle is a relatively small portion of the typical insurance premium.
Any price increase would affect shops like Gatchell's Arizona business. He said it is common for repair shops to use after-market or used parts. Unless the insurance company insists his shop use a specific manufacturer part, he searches for a cheaper part. So the higher prices would cause his shop and others to work harder with less in order to control costs.
A WTO ruling on this issue seems imminent in light of the recent export ruling. Such a ruling could impact consumers for years to come.
Cars.com photos by Mark Williams
Comments
Do trade barriers ever benefit consumers?
Chinese and Mexican-made auto parts have been flooding the US market for decades. I have used them on a variety of cars I fixed and had no ill effects.
With so many Mexican auto parts retailers available on the internet these days, why pay the inflated prices of the US brick&mortar retailers?
UPS shipping charges are the same and you don't have to pay sales tax.
I remember one time when I was helping my guys on our parts counter at the dealership. There was a long line which was the reason why I stopped what I doing to help them. There was one if those know-it-all types who has apparently wants to make everyone as miserable as he was because he didn't have a positive word to say about anything. As I was helping customers I overheard the conversations he started with the others in line. He was going on and on about what was wrong with America and how every part you buy was "Made in China". He went on and on about how it was the retailers fault for selling only stuff that was "Made in China". When you finally got up the counter, he asked for an A/C compressor, accumulator, and orifice tube. I asked for is VIN, and as I was looking up what he needed he continued his rant about "Made in China" parts. Before I went to pull what he needed, I told him the price of all his parts. He about flipped when I told him about $450. He went on another rant and rave about the price. I then told him that I assumed from his conversation with the other customers that he wanted the heavy duty American made A/C compressor. We also offered a "value" that was made in China for almost half as much that we make more GP(Gross Profit) on, but typically does not last as long as the heavy duty American made one that we make less GP on. I usually offer both our American made parts and cheaper foreign made parts to give a choice, but like is said I though he would want the American made parts. He said " Give me the cheaper one" and I every one in the room just shook their head at this hypocrite that didn't practice what he preached. The rest of his time in our dealership was spent telling others how expensive parts were. I really wanted to ring this guy's neck and shove his parts down his throat to shut him up.
Btw, a word to the wise. Parts countermen hate these types of guys and will generally mark up the prices to these guys for having to put up with them. So remember at the next time you go to a dealership although my type of dealership is a completely different animal than light truck dealerships.
The problem is who gets to define what counts as a tax break, subsidy, grant or cheap loan?
We see this stuff in the auto industry all of the time. Mention bailout and watch all the ranting and raving about Ford getting every cash break available short of "bailout".
I'm sure that if I mention the "chicken tax" we will see the usual suspects cue up on both sides of the battle lines.
I read a paper that indicated that just the import tariff on cars (which is low) plus a "voluntary" import restraint system that was put upon the Japanese companies cost USA consumers billions. Companies with factories in the USA (regardless of flag of head office) raised prices to match the tariff.
Countries can chose to ignore WTO rulings.
The WTO, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, NAFTA and many of the UN's entities serve the interests of global elites at the expense of everybody else.
When these elites aren't busy enriching themselves at our expense, they're busy congratulating each for being such swell guys, with banquets and awards (that they generously allow us to PAY for).
Whenever you hear someone on EITHER side of the trade argument, take it with a big fat grain of salt and do your homework before taking sides.
Me included--it's just my opinion. The difference is that nobody's paying me to put it out, and you can take that to the bank.
"the Obama administration."
"The free flow of U.S., and foreign, branded specialty automotive equipment benefits everyone —"
Speaking of Obama and the free flow, our border is being overrun and Obama is drinking and playing pool today...
BREAKING:
OBAMA GAME OF POOL OVER BORDER VISIT...
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/382307/dem-congressman-floored-me-see-obama-shoot-pool-rather-visit-border-andrew-johnson
Dem. Rep. Rips Obama: 'Aloof,' 'Bizarre,' and 'Detached'
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/dem-rep-rips-obama-aloof-bizarre-and-detached_796290.html
ISTOOK: Flying illegals home would be 99.5 percent cheaper than Obama’s plan
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/8/istook-flying-illegals-home-would-be-995-percent-c/
"Do trade barriers ever benefit consumers?"
Yes, when they are free-trade tariffs?
Open borders is the opposite of free trade.
In the long run, open borders will make everyone equal, equally destitute.
"Cars.com photos by Mark Williams"
Does Mark Williams and PUTC have permission to take photos in an O'Reilly Auto Part store? This action is usually against store policy.
I was in Munich a couple of years ago and spent several hours just checking where products in the stores were made. I found nothing that was made in China.
If I can find a product made in the USA I will go out of my way and pay a higher price for it. I some cases I will do without or make it myself. I also stay out of Wall-Mart and support smaller stores.
I have socks made in the USA that are 30 years old and still look new. I have tools and furniture that are older than me. I have a 1988 F150 that will be passed on to one of my sons when I'm assume room temperature. My first requirement for any purchase is where it is made and is it a quality product. Quality in most cases is less expensive than cheep. Buy it once, keep it forever and retire early with money in the bank. Support the country that supports you and if you can not pay cash you can not afford it.
I don't shop at discount auto parts stores cause I get too frustrated cause the guy behind the counter is an idiot.
I needed a tool to remove a broken spark plug for Ford Triton 3 valve engine.
I knew the auto parts store had it on stock but the dumb-dumb behind the counter didn't know what it was so he played it safe saying they didn't have it.
That's the typical thing they do, if they don't know what it is they don't have it.
It's Reagans fault. No wait it's Clintons fault. Or it could be Bush's fault. Maybe Obama's. Why does everyone have to blame the sitting president far all the current problems. Clueless I guess.
Money talks. And retailers stock the cheapest priced goods so they can be competitive. Just look at WalMart.
@Tom#3 - if you knew they had it why ask?
Bring it on!
I would gladly pay more for a Made In U.S.A. product versus a Made In China, Made In India, Made In Singapore etc. product.
At least give consumers the option to shop around rather than just about everything coming from overseas!
For you old farts let me tell you about something new:
Globalization
Communication and transportation technology, combined with free-market ideology, have given products and capital unprecedented mobility. Northern countries want to open world markets to their goods and take advantage of cheap labor in the South, rather than dumb expensive labor in the US. They use international financial institutions and regional trade agreements to compel poor countries to "integrate" by reducing tariffs, privatizing state enterprises, and relaxing environmental and labor standards.
The results have large profits for investors!
You see "Buy American or say Bye to America" no one really gives a sh&t what you would do...lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VTciPTiiFc
@Razor you're 100% correct. Even in heavy industry I've seen equipment 70+ years old work better than newer gear. It may be less efficient to run but if it lasts and dosnt need to be replaced dosent that make it more efficient in the long run?
I also look for made in Canada equipment clothes etc. the cheaper policy dosnt always work, same with our food. We'll eat crap and praise politicians for eating pink slime burgers and declare freedoms are protected go amurica. Everything is so disposable power tools etc.
Funny story: die hard Chevy truck owner looses his tail light assembly and when at the local garage the mechanic quotes him say $100 for after market light. Customer says no way! I don't want that made in China after market garbage, I want the one from the dealer. Mechanic says it a $300.00?! Customer says I don't care I want North American made.
Light shows up.... "Made in Vietnam..."
@All1--I had the air conditioning compressor replaced on my 99 S-10 last summer with a new compressor. The mechanic gave me a choice of a remanufactured compressor or a new one for $100 more. I chose the new one thinking I was getting a new AC Delco, but recently I took a close look at it and it did not say AC Delco but it did say made in China. If I would have know this I would have asked for the remanufactured compressor, but the compressor seems to work as well as the original one. Hopefully the compressor lasts. Eventually we will see Chinese made cars, we already have Chinese made roto tillers, edgers, lawn mowers, snow blowers, weed eaters. and leaf blowers. I have a little 2 stroke mini tiller from Home Depot that is made in China which is decent.
@98Sienna--My carpenter has some older power tools that he has had for over 30 years that are still going strong and he has some power tools that he has had for a couple of years that have stop working in the middle of a job. He was working on my porch a month ago when his nail gun stopped working and he had to go to Home Depot to buy a new one to finish the job. His old nail gun was 3 years old and you guessed it, it was made in China as is his new one. His old power tools were made in the US. It is hard to find tools or electronic items that aren't made in China. I guess if it were made in the US it would be more expensive. I had an old Gateway computer for almost 10 years that refused to die but it cost over 2k new in 2002. Today you can get a computer with more memory and faster for about $400 to $600 but it will not last as long. Of course computers become obsolete so fast that it is not feasible to keep one that long.
@ Tom#3
I like to call most parts stores "outhouses" cause when you need something, they say "we're out, but we can order it." Hell, I can order it too--and probably have it shipped to my house for a lower price. I am willing to pay a little more if I can buy it on the spot, but I am not gonna pay them more to order it.
This is near and dear to me cause I worked in a NAPA store in Idaho all through high school and served the local lumber mill, logging companies, ranches, etc. We had a WAY better inventory than most stores I visit today cause we were in BFE and folks needed stuff now. In situations like that, JIT isn't all its cracked up to be.
@ALL 1,
We have a problem with Chinese builders of a Campertrailers producing much cheaper and poor quality products.
There is about over 100 local builders. Example below of a typical off road locally built trailer
http://www.kimberleygroup.com.au/article/images/Kimberley-off-road-camping-trailer-with-tinnie-boat-8672-image.jpg
As is the case with most "cheap" products the biggest issue with auto parts is not that they are mad overseas, but it's the lack of quality control.
Most cars are built from a variety of parts coming from all over the world. New cars rarely suffer issues due to the foreign made parts. Yes stuff breaks now and then, but not at the rate you'd expect for having foreign made parts.
This is because each manufacture puts strict quality control guidelines in place for each of their suppliers. The minute a supplier stops offering consistent quality, you can bet they will find a new supplier.
This is the reason I only buy OEM parts, regardless of what country they're made in. The is a reason they are so much more expensive. No, the stealership is not trying to rip you off on parts. You can go to websites like Rockauto and find a $100 OEM part for maybe $10-20 less than the dealership, about the same discount compared to buying an OEM part from any other brick and mortar parts house.
With few exceptions, OEM parts are far superior to the garbage they sell at places like Autozone. There is a reason that Autozone will offer a lifetime warranty on its parts. For example, their starters aren't rebuilt, they simply bench test them and if necessary replace any part that need replacing, much less cost that a full rebuild. Do you really think the 70 year old woman in China who's getting paid 10 cents/hour cares about how long your Duralast starter will last?
I would love to buy American or British auto parts, but the problem is I am cheap and love to get a bargain and save a few dollars /pounds in the process . So I will always buy the cheap Chinese auto part in a heart beat.
I bow my heard in shame ,clutching a cold one in my right hand. Paid with the money I saved at the auto parts store.
( American beer of course because it's cheap ! )
The cost of an Aluminum F-150 will be negligible compared to the fuel economy benefit. Assume the 2.7l Ecoboost gets 4 better combined mpg than the Ram 8 speed Pentastar; That's hundred per year of savings, thousands in the long run.
Plus Aluminum is barely more expensive than high strength steel.
@HEMI MONSTER
You realize though "MOPAR" parts are not OEM, they are rebranded aftermarket parts. For example the MOPAR filters are actually made Wix, and the bug guard's are made by stampede et al. Mopar parts are no different then what you'll find at Autozone.
@Lou BC
Well I'm 18, and this has nothing to do with "Old farts". Taking away American jobs isn't globalization, globalization would mean integration of work, For example Ford has a lot of design work done on there engines in England, but didn't take any American engineers jobs away.
I live in Seattle, and we actually have employers that respect the American workforce, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon etc.
Lou BC
The auto parts store had it behind the counter and I needed the people that work there to help me find it.
I checked the auto parts store online site it was on stock.
I did write down the part number and price but I forgot to take that information with me, but I figured they could look it up when I get there.
I explained that to him, he made no effort to look it up himself saying he didn't have it but they could order it so I asked how can you order it for me when you have no idea what I need?
I asked for someone else behind the counter to help me so the manager came out got nasty with me and he looked it up and found it.
He made the excuse that tool I needed wasn't a common item that doesn't sell so they were confused if it was a tool or a part since they can't look it up by make and model of vehicle.
Even the manager was lost and I knew more about the products he sells than what he does and I let him know that.
I am the only one with the balls to remove spark plugs on the 5.4 engine that never been replaced with 160K miles and if you break off a plug I have the tool to remove it.
Dafug?
Would you trust the new Ford F-150 2.7 Eco-Boost to be problem free and to get good gas mileage when Ford lied about the gas mileage with the former 3.5 Eco-Boost and the problems it had?
The 2014 Ram 4x4 with the 5.7 HEMI gets 19 MPG where the F-150 3.5 Eco-Boost gets 17 MPG.
@Tom#3--I see your point. It is much easier and less stressful to order what you need online.
@Jeff S
Except when I'm out in the driveway covered with grease lying on my back under the wife's car. At that point I want it right now.
Fortunately that scenario is a thing of the past for me today, but 30 years ago that's how my cars got fixed--the neighborhood auto parts store. Everything was DIY.
Waiting three or four days for UPS won't cut it--I wanna get done.
@Dale Milner
Maybe you live in Kentucky, or perhaps under a rock--who knows.
The rest of us know that Obama is the least effective president of our lifetimes. Forget Bush, Reagan, Clinton, Carter. Obama has driven the US into a ditch, and after 5 long years we're still stuck there. He's the boss, so forget about excuses. Don't want to hear it.
Last week in a respected national survey Americans ranked him last. Least popular.
@Lou_BC - You're close, but still wrong about the "voluntary restraints" costing Americans billions. Americans did spent way more on Japanese cars because the "import" OEMs piled on the options and sent over much less base stripper cars. With a limited number of cars that could be shipped over from Japan, OEMs had to make each one count.
More luxurious models were offered and Americans ate them up. The new Acura, Lexus and Infiniti "brands" were a symptom of the voluntary restraints.
But Americans "voluntarily" went for much increased luxury and options packed. That's if you wanted Japanese cars. The Maxima, 929 and Cressida went up market, and we couldn't get enough of them. High end, hi-performance Japanese sports cars sold like crazy, and at prices that rivaled the Corvette.
Detroit/domestic OEMs tried to pile on the options too, with limited success. And many Limited Editions with very limited sales. The Cimarron was a complete joke.
Billions extra were spent is true, but a lot of luxury, style, quality/reliability and speed, went along with it.
guts
glory
better parts
better turbos
better interiors
better styling
better powertrains
RAM
I miss Regan. There are a few low information truck owners on here that make the movie Idiocracy scare me.
A/C compressor? Shoot, I just paid $177 for a new made in USA Compressor Works, vs a remanufactured (don't know where) one for 163$. That's to replace the Remanufactured for Ford one that was supposedly put on 13 months ago, by a Ford mechanic that installed only 2 of 3 bolts holding it onto the block, as well as leaving the wiring harness clamps off, and leaving the inner fender well A/C access panel minus a few fasteners. The dealership also has a body shop, so I'm pretty sure those fasteners can be found there. Pure lack of detail.
Anyway, I will usually ask where the parts are made that I'm buying, and get the USA or North American one if I have a choice. Sadly though, the made in USA profit margin is so much higher most the time.
Craftsman Tools used to be all made in the States, they hired A.J. Foyt to do commercials about it, now they are made in China, but still expensive.
People want to talk about Walmart, well how about K-Mart, or Target? Or...... Shop around, it isn't just Walmart.
I bought some New Balance shoes the other day, actually made in the states.
@Dufuq: that's a lot of assuming that the 2.7 will get 4 mpg better COMBINED than the Pentastar, it'll probably run on the boost quite a bit. Now also include your higher insurance cost.
Will it last? How good is it if you constantly need to be at the dealership with it? Or the fact if you put a trailer behind it at 75% of it's max combined weight, it would be good to add better gas, now what are you saving?
All so you can come out much less then the 3.0 VM diesel that gets much better mileage towing then that 2.7 will, with diesel costing 3.69 and gas 3.38? Plus gas keeps going up. Ford can't hand the current crop of turbos. But if you like TSBs, have at!
DURRRRRRR one tooth trx tom here yall I make fun of fords tbs but that junk ram I own is from the crapper wait carpter no wait I got then let me google it ah! Craplers fiat motor company has recalled just as many crappy cars and trucks they sold since 1985.
Crapsler fiat moron Group: 63.2 million recalled/63.2 million sold; 1.00 recall rate
Ford Motor Co: 97.0 million recalled/104.7 million sold; 0.93 recall rate
General Motors: 99.3 million recalled/153.2 million sold; 0.65 recall rate.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2014/03/26/automakers-with-the-lowest-and-highest-recall-rates/
YUC YUC sure r glad im a low IQ fiat 1500 owner yeeehawwww some one give me a PBR its 8 am I need my frist beer of the day to deal with the smarter folk then I in my trailer park!!! yeehaww 1 tooth trx tom out yall!
I hope auto parts stores don't start smelling like Harbor Freight stores. What the heck is it with stinky Chinese made tools and parts? They could easily train dogs to sniff it out as it ships across the ocean.
@papa jim--I want it right now too if I am in the middle of a job and something goes wrong, but with lean inventory and just in time delivery it is getting harder to do that. All retailers are going to lean inventory managing systems to keep costs down, which I do not blame them in a competitive market. There are certain things like tires and batteries that I would rather wait for than have a retailer keep a large stock. That is one good thing about buying tires and batteries from a high volume retailer such as Walmart or Sams Club is that their inventory turns over much faster. I have learned to read the production code on the tires before I buy them. It is getting harder to get smaller size tires such as 15 because the newer vehicles are all going to larger wheels. I ran into that problem on my Isuzu and ended up ordering Goodyear Wranglers from Sams Club. I previously have bought Michelins for my S-10 but they are not available for the Chevy or the Isuzu. At this point I am just glad to find the correct tire and that the tire has not been sitting in a warehouse for years.
Interesting Forbes article, thanks for posting. Although I would have to point out that GM has recalled over 26 million cars world wide since that article was written.
@Denver Mike--I think you just made Lou's point in that the Japanese car manufacturers had limits on the number of cars they could send to the US so they went up market and made more profit per unit. Now most of your Japanese automakers have plants in North America and the costs to manufacture are much more competitive in North America than in Japan where the yen has appreciated and the labor pool is much less due to restrictions on immigration and a rapidly aging population. Now the South Korean companies such a Kia and Hyundai have plants in the US. If you have read the article on TTAC about GM and the South Korean auto unions it makes a lot of sense that Kia and Hyundai have put plants in Alabama and Georgia. Hyundai is one of the fastest growing car companies in the US and it is good business to have a plant here. Even Toyota is going to produce a Lexus model in their Georgetown, KY plant.
Maybe the WTO should investigate the "Chicken Tax", hmmm?
@Jeff S
Yup my old S10 had 14 inch wheels Apart from Uniroyal I don't know who makes even a half decent tire for that size and load anymore.
@ALL! Even if yall add da 26 million on top of the 99.3 million even a 1 tooth PBR drinker like me TRX TOM can still tell you GM has not recalled every car truck they ever made like Crapsler fiat moron Group (it be 125.3 million out of 153.2 million or add what they sold since then March 2014) has since 1985 DA HA DURRRRRRRRRR! GM would have a recall rate of .82 with added 26 million but with out additional sales since March of 2014 when the story was wrote! Still lower then um uh duh Ford and duh Crapsler fiat moron Group!
papa jim--Goodyear, General, and Hankook are about the only ones that make tires for the S-10. When GM redesigned the S-10 in 1994 Chevy went to 15". It is hard to find any tire size below a 16". Our CRV has 215/70-16. The Isuzu has 265/75-15 and the S-10 has 205/75-15. I had Michelin truck tires on the S-10 until last year when I replaced them with Goodyear because that was the only tire in stock. The funny thing is that I haven't had Goodyear tires on a vehicle for over 30 years. It surprised me that the tires on the 2008 Isuzu were harder to find than the S-10. Colorado/Canyon were manufactured thru MY 2012 and the Isuzu I-370 thru MY 2008 which all are the same truck. I guess by the time I cannot find tires for the S-10 I will probably get rid of it because it is going on 16 years old. I got my money's worth out of that S-10 and then some so I am not going to complain. It has been a great truck overall. The Isuzu is good but the Colorado/Canyon/Isuzu are not as good a truck as the S-10/Sonoma. I hope the new Colorado /Canyon is much better.
@Jeff S
they don't do well in storage, unfortunately. Most of the old Rangers and S10s have solid underpinnings but the interiors are moldy, seats are shot and the levers/switches were cheap plastic bits to begin with.
The hardware and greasy stuff underneath is solid and dependable on the Rangers and S10s, and they're easy to work on.
If your S10 is a good one, consider a wheels upgrade--I bet some of the aftermarket outfits have a decent replacement in a suitable size.
Much cheaper than buying a new truck.
@duh
I did not say that to bash anyone. I said that because 26 million is a large number, and would have a profound effect on the numbers in that article.
Also, I don't see what recalls from almost 30 years has to do with vehicles today? Including data from 30 years ago does not really reflect how a companies current vehicles will be. A lot of things change in that amount of time and the CEO's that set the tone of a companies culture come and go. Hell, just one decade can have a profound effect on how a company operates.
So this makes you ask yourself. How far back in recall data would reflect how the their current offerings will be? Do recalls from 20 or 30 years ago really say something about the vehicles that are rolling off the assembly line today? I don't think so. A time frame of 10 or even 5 years you be a more accurate assessment of how that company is currently. If you did that then the percentages in that article would look a lot different. This is just me and how I look at it, and your outlook may be different. You just have to look at whether the data you are looking has any relevance to you or not. It still is a good article though.
ALL1 that was data from 1985 - March 2014 current. I even threw in the 26 million GM recalls with out additional sales and the odds are and still show if you own a ford or fiat car/truck you are more likely to get a recall yeeehaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww PBR me as my name is one tooth trx tom!
Globalization = race to the bottom.
Why even have countries, if we don't have borders?
@ Dafuq, the 2015 Ford F150 2.7 V6 will NOT get 4mpg better combined that Chrysler's Ram 1500. It should at best only match the mileage.
Boeing makes planes in China
Microsoft illegally uses H1-B visa workers to replace Americans
Amazon is looking to phase out as many humans as possible, via automation/robots.
The bottom line is that if Corporations want to have an unlimited duration charter, the products they sell need to have a lifetime warranty.
@papa jim--I will probably do that. It has the aluminum mags that came with it as an upgrade. There is a little wear on the driver's side seat but other than that it is all original and looks and runs like new I bought it new and it has been good, but you are correct that some of the body hardware has been replaced such as seat mechanisms, glove compartment latch, and tailgate straps I think most of the vehicles have cheaper quality hardware and they have gotten a little worse. My Isuzu has a much lower grade hardware even though it is a loaded model. I do still see a fair number the S-10s and Rangers around where I live but few are in as good a shape as mine. I had a 77 Monte Carlo that I had bought new with the swivel bucket seats that I had for over 18 years that still looked and ran like new when I sold it (I should have kept it a few more years--it was loaded with power windows, power locks, tilt steering wheel, and rear window defroster).
@George C--60 Minutes had a segment on Amazon and the robots that carry the products pulled by the workers at their fulfillment centers--very interesting and they have never had any of these robots run into each other.
@Razor "I miss Regan"
So did John Hinckley.
I thought it was Reagan. That is hard to believe the attempted assassination was 33 1/2 years ago, time does fly.
@Dafuq - which Lou are you replying to?
The fake Lou does not have a typepad account.
@DenverDike - I'd like to see some proof backing up your claims.
I've been waiting for your evidence for several years now.....
What you see out the window of your old pickup and your interpretation of that view doesn't count since the box you place over your head limits the view and the oxygen to your brain.
The comments to this entry are closed.