I have a coworker that made some comments about Nissan that I find very questionable and wanted to see what everyone else thinks. So I'll throw it out there even though this site might be a little biased as am I

Brief background is that I live and work in the Detroit area where people generally think Ford, GM and DCX are by far the best vehicles on the road. Second my coworker doesn't know I own a Nissan Z. Third and most absurd (IMO) is that she obtained her info from a GM rep that she speaks with through her position at work. Now she also said that he holds some sort of international position at GM and therefore he watches and is more aware of foreign news, which I'm guessing doesn't hide the truth about Nissan?????

She said the rep told her domestic auto company's continue to get negative sterotypes even though Nissan by far has the most recalled vehicles, in her words "they recall more Nissan cars than they actually sell". How this is possible I am not sure? Then she went on to complain how the media is so biased and paints such a negative picture of the domestic auto companies. I agree that the media is biased but why would they want to promote the Japanese ane Euro manufacturers and blast the domestics....... IMO product sales will say about everything and the media doesn't have anyway around it.

Sorry about going on and on but the BS flag started to raise when she opened her mouth; and by no means do I take her comments to heart but I would like to hear your opinions on her comments.....

 

And of course, the media will go as far as trick all consumer reports OUTSIDE of the USA, where US vehicles are as poorly rated as elsewhere.

If the US made good vehicles, the enthusiasts would know about it.

 

Sounds like she and her rep are circulating rumors or spoon feeding themselves with feel-good news about domestics. Ignore her and let her continue her wayward journey.

 

well having worked for domestic and 2 import dealers (nissan being the first) I can tell you exactly why people buy more imports, more imports being sold every year, and why import manufactuers aren't closing factories left and right ie: Ford. And recall talk??? C'mon, has this broad ever been to a chrysler dealer and seen the recall list they have? And lets not all forget the infamous little problem ford had with killing their customers in roll overs caused by "tires" and not something ford could have done.

First lets look at warranty. Up until about a month ago, what domestic manufactuer had a better warranty then 3/36 basic coverage? Ok on the flip side, what import manufactuer had less that 5/60 basic coverage (i think nissan is 3/36 still right?) ? Domestic powertrain 3/36 maybe 5/60 if your lucky. Most imports powertrain warranty is 5/60 and now mostly 10/100 coverage. Warranty coverage alone will helps sales in the industry. Look at hyundai, there 10/100 bumper to bumper works like a charm. Fantastic, high end vehicle.... nope, but their warranty is gold in consumers eyes.

Now lets look at resale value. Whens the last time you saw a pontiac hold any value at all. Or how about a ford explorer.....pick those up a couple years old all day long for cheap! Domestic cars, unless high end (vette, viper) just do not hold value at all! Now look at infiniti, those cars hold value better then a bucket. Can't find a G35 that hasn't had the crap kicked out of it for under 25K. Bet you can find a Cadillac CTS for 19,500 all day long tho.

Lastly...and this just may be my opinion.. but lets look at fit and finish and quality in these vehicles. In order to get anything "nice" in domestic, your spending 28K or more easily. And by nice, i mean loaded with the goodies...finished out nicely. Now think about the Nissan Altima. Fit and finish is extremely solid, a lot of goodies with performance in the mid 20's. Sure ya can get the new Chrysler Sebring for the same price, but damn where did the performance and handling go? Not to mention that little warranty issue we talked about before.

Ok geeesh, I have rattled long enough. I know a lot of this is just my .02 worth, but I have worked for domestic and import dealers. Right now I am with Mitsubishi (who's warranty kicks some pretty good ***) and our sister store is a Chrysler dealer. I see, and hear, all about this stuff EVERY day. Flame on...its cool, I don't mind. But the consumer is smart, its not just about pricing and brand loyalty anymore. And definately not about "well my dad brough me up a GM person" at all these days.

Bill

 

+1

 

well, you can mention to her that if the domestic companies are doing so great, why is Ford shutting down plants and, like i saw on the news yesterday, getting a loan on all of their assets because they are not doing that great

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...i-business-hed

 

All people have opinions whether based on fact on conjecture. Neither you nor I nor a mountain of facts will convince them otherwise. Facts get in their way.

Drop it.

 

Well. Here is a little background info is you so desire:

http://news.windingroad.com/auto-new...lled-vehicles/

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...tos+index+page

and let use not forget one very insteresting point about WHERE these vehicles are actually manufactured. I'd hate to say it, but this seems to be a factor also:

http://www.bts.gov/publications/the_...ble_04_03.html


I just love this comment though, from the second link:

"In May, 31,000 units of the Chevrolet Corvette were recalled by General Motors (GM), because there was mounting evidence that some roofs could come unglued at high speeds. "

What the heck are they using, Elmer's?!

Either way, we all have our biases one way or another. You might as well just ignore her. If I really cared about others opinions about myself or things I own, I would probably have been comitted by now

 

bang this chick out and make her scream nissan

 

I work for a Tier One auto supplier just north of Detroit. Her comments aren't entirely off-base. The domestics have made huge leaps in quality improvement and it DOES show in the vehicles. The imports (particularly Nissan and Toyota since they have larger exposure) have been sliding a bit in that area as well. Not to the degree she would lead you to believe but it's true nonetheless. What's key in this town is that when your bread and butter comes from a domestic auto maker it DOES make sense to buy that way. At my level and further down the chain, buy where your money makes the most sense to you.

On another note........Ford and GMs financial woes don't have so much to do w/ their product as it does their business practices. Anyone that works in the auto industry in this town knows exactly what I'm talking about.

 

Why do you own a Z then?


Im going to have to pull the BANNN HIMMM

 

Didn't you read what I wrote? My feeling is that if you work for an automaker (your bread and butter) then you should buy from that automaker. It only makes sense. I'm Tier One....we supply to the Big 3 as well as the imports (Nissan particularly).

This is the first import I've ever purchased. I also purchased it used. And it has nothing to do w/ quality ratings, etc. I like the car, period.

 

ditto. Didn't toyota just recall like a million vehicles not to long ago?

I could care less what badge is on the car... I wanted a 2 seater, RWD sports car. There weren't a lot of options in my price range, and the Z has dead Sexy good looks

 

im just playing with ya. I think imports are the way to go.

 

I figured I wouldn't be the only one asking myself "what the hell is she talking about???"

Like I said before, not all... but many Detroiters live in a domestic vacuum and have trouble from time to time coming up for air.

I took a little offense to the original comments made about Nissan because it seemed ignorant and misinformed.... not a suprise to see that everyone is with me on this one.


Based on an earlier comment, I do agree that the domestics have made great strides in building a higher quality vehicle and I don't want to take away from that.

 

Ahh.....ok. LOL. wasn't sure w/out a smiley for the sarcasm.

Jeff....there is certainly a media bias though. Read Car & Driver or Motortrend and I'm told that in comparisons between the two sides the nod more often than not goes to the import even when the results would indicate it shouldn't. No firsthand knowledge there as I'm a Hot Rod reader myself.

 

I thought Nissan appeared the most frequently (of the Japanese manufacturers) on the least reliable list that was circulated recently. If you are looking at just that list, it does look like Nissan is at the bottom of the Japanese barrel.

 

The politics of the deep pockets!

If you pay them, they will say nice things about you.

 

Take her for a ride in your Z, then let her get back in her Impala.....if that doesn't change her mind, smash her crack pipe.

 

im telling you bang her out and make her scream NISSAN