Let’s step back from the world of politics to an interesting business story, shall we? According to a report just released online by the International Herald Tribune, Toyota appears likely to depose GM as the world’s number one automaker.
To fully appreciate how this affects me, you need to understand that I grew up in a world that used the phrase, “cheap Japanese cars” in a derogatory way, i.e., the “cheap” had nothing to do with inexpensive or economical — it meant poorly made.
Nowadays, American car makers have struggled to regain some reputation for quality. Hondas and Toyotas, on the other hand, are world renowned for attention to detail and quality, from the shine on the hood to the room for lots of luggage in their spacious trunks.
I’m sure there are a million reasons GM and Ford are losing market shares to Toyota and other Japanese and European automakers. And I feel the pain of many who will suffer from economic downturns if U.S. automakers decline much further.
On the other hand, who wants to pay premium prices for American cars that don’t compare with the quality of those made in Japan and elsewhere?
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
Technorati Tags: Toyota, GM, Ford, U.S. automakers, Japanese automakers, just a guy who reads the papers