Originally posted by AirKnight:
American = Lazy Asses
Lazy Asses = Lousy Job
Lousy Job = Lousy Company
Lousy Company = Lousy Product
Lousy Product = Pissed Off Customers
Pissed Off Customer = Bad People
Conclusion: American = Bad People! 
Actually, Americans work more hours and take the least amount of vacation time than any other country in the world. American productivity is also among the highest in the world (a close number 2 to I believe Germany). This is American industry overall, not just the auto industry, which may have different results.
Another thing to consider: MOST of the Japanese nameplate cars sold in the U.S. are built by Americans! And the ones built in Japan have about the same level of defects as the ones built here. Goes to show you its not American workers that are the problem, it's American management and production philosophies that are the problem.
If American workers couldn't put out a quality product with high productivity, the Japanese wouldn't be building production plants here in record numbers.
Another thing: Japanese manufacturers maintain close relationships with their suppliers and monitor supplier quality very closely. Most American companies do not. It makes a big difference in the final product. Chances are many of the problems you had with your Ford were caused by a faulty part made by an outside supplier to Ford. But its Ford's responsibility to monitor the quality of its suppliers. Because in the eye of the consumer, its not some supplier's part that failed them, it was a Ford product that failed them, and that's all they know or care about.
