let's rethink? this thing!!!!!

[ezvz2u2]

:rolleyes: My Idea/suggestion, is to have the big 3 auto makers (Ford, GM and Chrysler) to make cars/trucks, what I call bi-yearly only or every 2 years,not yearly!!! This will give them time to make a better product/get some fee back and to restructure. Let me open your mind too! and just think of all the cars/trucks that are not sold(return) in America!!...alot. yes! Think of the time and MONEY auto manufactures will save knowing that only every 2 year a Great Vehicle will come to market! My friend are only buying every 2 or 4 years anyway...we can wait for a Great American comeback! "WE NEED TO RETHINK? THIS PEOPLE" bill

[mchastek]

Bill - thanks so much for posting this. An interesting idea, indeed.

My question is - how many of the auto makers change the vehicle every year? I know some of them just update the model year, but the car remains exactly the same.

The one thing I would certainly say is a problem though, is the number of new models being introduced that go nowhere. The American companies seem to think releasing model after model (without fixing what's wrong with existing models) is the answer to the problem. What're your thoughts?

[ezvz2u2]

I really feel there no need to update(every year) only to make a better product for the public, that will buy these Vehicles... My car has become a part of me!(the public is very smart now) I work in the Business and I'm able to see alot/what goes into the new cars but the same old problem...yes! I have try to help automakers with Ideas/Designs(GM, FORD and Chrysler) but there not open to the public. I submitt an Idea to Ford, about there star logo!(co-workers/friends love it) I redesign it only using the (F) as the star logo! sometime I feel that maybe they want to Fail.

[mchastek]

Looks like Ford is planning on doing exactly the opposite of what you suggested.

Here's an article from the Detroit Free Press called "Ford intends to update frequently" - http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060616/BUSINESS01/606160351/1014/BUSINESS

[ezvz2u2]

thank you, about article!

[bhoecht]

The manufacturers update their model years each year so that their compliance with the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) can be measured & penalties assessed.

They don't have to (i.e. BMW did not have a 1996 540 due to change over), but they always seem to do it as a means to create "new model" excitement, tweak designs between substantial model changes, etc.

Sales is an art and buying a new car is an emotional purchase for everyone. Buying a "new" vehicle that is the same one someone bought two years ago doesn't inspire me to park it in my driveway for everyone to see when I bring it home. It is an overly simplistic example, but speaks well to the psychology of the consumer's emotive state of mind behind making a car purchase.

Car manufacturers would ignore that at their peril.