NBC REPORT.....US AUTO INDUSTRY AT A CROSSROADS

[mockingbird812]

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Ray Charles could have seen this one coming,why do you think they were snapping pics of everything in sight?

The big three thought denial was a river in Egypt,sat on their hands,and had their pockets pickeds slowly since the Reagan Administration.Pretty pathetic actually.

The good thing is with the Camry entering Nextel cup in 07 it will backfire due to jingoistic pride and all will be right in the kingdom

[/ QUOTE ]

O.K. that hurts my brain. What does this mean?:

" ...it will backfire due to jingoistic pride and all will be right in the kingdom... "

[Late BrakeU2]

Basically that France Jr allowing Toyota to enter cars in the most sacred series in american motorsports could have a potentially damaging effect on Japanese car sales.

If they prove successful(the Tacoma has already won a championship in the NCTS) and best believe they will(because of a virtually unlimited budget thanks to the US pumping billions through car sales to them for years)how will it be recieved at a time when domestic car companies are struggling for survival? It's no fault of the Japanese,they did their homework and built a better product while we were offered world class models like the Pontiac Aztec . This is a very proud country that loves sport.Once the connection is made between Toyota winning races,factories closing,and americans losing jobs you could potentially see a wholesale boycott of Japanese products by the rabid and passionate Nascar fan base and-that is a rather large one.JMHO

[ANDY M]

The Camry is getting into NASCAR because it's the been the best selling car in America for the past 7 years.
Say what you want about NASCAR, but they do understand marketing, and making money.

[SamLBInj]

[ QUOTE ]
...consumers automatically assume a Lexus or Benz is gonna be more reliable or trouble free than a GM,

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Its not an assumption its a fact, Ive owned a dozen or so Benzes and Lexus and have had ZERO problems, Cant say the same for my domestics..How about my GMC truck that the dealer has had in his shop more than ive had in my driveway...Those who campare quality between Mercedes and Lexus vs Domestic have never owned or driven one, there is no comparison....

[70Z]

totally agree Sam.

One of our cars is a little BMW 323is..This is a low end bemmer but it's built like a tank. Been rear ended twice by BIG American cars. A Bonneville and a Caddy..Both times the Bemmer just had scratches and thats not an exaggeration. Didn't even get it fixed the first time the damage was so minor. Both the American cars just sort of blew up on impact and had considerable front end damage.

Had that car now since it was new in '99. 70,000 miles, not 1 single problem. Still tight as day one in every way. Made me such a believer thats all I'll buy anymore.

[COPO]

In the BMW enthusiast circles, bimmer is a BMW car and beemer is a BMW motorcycle.

Back in the early 80's my everyday driver was a gray market Hartge BMW 323i back in the early 80's with 4.10's & nitrous. That little car would run 4.5 sec. 0-60 and mid 12's in the 1/4 and was a blast on a road race course.

[70Z]

Well see, you learn something around here everyday.