A tale of two car problems: the Toyota accelerator problems (later attributed to driver error) produced public hearings and government threats. The Chevy Volt fires produced crickets chirping. “Guess which one has a union that supported Obama’s election and which does not. Guess which one Obama bought equity in with taxpayer money?” Hogwash. It’s like saying Solyndra got a loan ’cause the principal is a big Obama donor or something.
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Then there was the design flaw in the 5-speed transmissions in Toyota 4x4 trucks in the early 80's, where Toyota basically told us all to fly a kite. No more Toyotas for me, ever.
And I hate to say it, but if you notice, Toyota, Honda, etc never had recalls until they opened plants in the US. Their employees took lessons from the union goons and started turning out faulty product. Laziness is a dangerous thing.
Rose, I love you like a sister but that isn't true. Japanese brands have had all sorts of issues over the years regardless of where they are assembled just like any other brand . None of the foreign brands use union labor (that I know of) here and their workers are actually very motivated. The cars are just machines and they do sometimes have problems hence the huge service departments every Toyota and Honda store has behind their showrooms.
One glaring difference is that Honda and Toyota, early on, were really good about backing up their products. For example, the first generation Honda Civics (CVCC) had a terrible problem with their fenders rusting out way too soon. Rather than telling their customers that they were out of warranty and sorry, they replaced the fenders. Those early customers grew up with the brand and many never left it.
don't get me started on Mitsubishi
I just bought my third Outlander all wheel drive and I love it. The first two were running like tops when I traded them in, with over 240,000 miles on each, and I have had very few problems. And, the few I did have were taken care of with no problems by the dealer.
I'll keep that in mind.. moved to CO recently and looking for something more rugged to get around mountains.. leaning jeepish, never had one
I'm not sure about Jeep, they're a Chrysler product now, not the best endorsement!
I lived in Denver area (Aurora) for a year, needed 4wd more for snow than mountains.
I am npot disagreeing with you Kick. I know they don't use union labor. In fact they locate their plants in free work states. We have a Toyota plant her in San Antonio. I am saying that workers in the U.S. are not always as devoted to doing a first rate job as they are in Japan. We had every 2-bit shadfe tree mechaninc trying toget on at Toyota, and for once, the "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" system was not in operation. Only what appeared to be the most qualified were hired, and Toyota has worked to keep them on the job. I just think American workers should step up a little.
Shhh it's a secret at GM that the Volt is a piece of shit that only is still being produced so that barry can appease the Greenies and Environmentalist.
It's time to pull the plug on the Volt, scrap it and give the American people their money back.
You need a Haz-Mat cert to scrap it! Just like those mercury filled "green" light bulbs!