The big three suck for several reasons:
In order, IMHO:
1. allowing the unions to negotiate rediculous compensation. Paying a highschool graduate $70k/year + huge benefits to sit on a flaoting chair and use a suspended nut driver to attach a center console somehow seems wrong.
2. relying on outdated product development methodolgy. Only truly uniqe examples break that mold (Ford GT, Pontiac Solstice)
3. Mediocre (some hits, more misses) design and limited resources to content higher quality materials.
4. Quality - Buick did well, so what, how come? same UAW, same OEM designers and engineers. Could it be the owner demographics? This is where I assume NVH means nothing to a dust ball who can't hear anyway and shouldn't be hurling a 3700Lb mass of metal, glass and flamable liquids down the road at 60 while running a stoplight.
5. A lousy dealership experience - although this is true for imports as well to more than a small extent. It also has much to do with dealership owners. Brand A sold by dealer B can be 180 from brand A sold at dealer C.
6. 25% of the people doing 75% of the work at the OEM. Soon to be rectified; through massive headcount reductions with a ripple effect in certain regions like oh, say, the Motor City.
The list goes on and gets considerably more complex.
I think Ford is better poised to ride the storm. They are embracing 'green' just as much as Toyota and more than honda, VW & KIA. Design is improving - F150, Explorer, Mustang, Fusion/Milan, Focus. They just need to lose Jay-I-Give-Myself-a-"B"-Mays and the oh so bland 500. Call the freestyle a draw - it's capable off road and has a decent interior for the price (compared to a Pacifica) but if people don't get in to drive it because the exterior isn't engaging then you've lost the race before it's begun. GM has the ability to learn - refer again to the Solstice, but they are the Exxon Valdez of OEM's - badly wounded and slow to react.
For all of our sakes, I hope the Big 3 can pull out of the tail spin. While GM may be only ~ 2% or 3% of GDP, think about it, they are just ONE automotive company. Imagine if 2 go down, and the ripple effect. Yes growth would be picked up by the remaining manufacturers, but not immediately. Capacity management of the imports is much better, meaning they don't have lots of extra. Huge capitol and time would be required to fill any voids.
It's not the first nor will it be the last loss posted by Ford. Lets hope it's the bottom of the curve and that the Delphi/GM lesson proves to be a model that when applied elswhere presents solutions and positive growth.
signed - A 'George Carlin Rules' Patriot with a sunburn.
