If the Big Three fail, will Japan force hybrids on America?
Results so far:
| Yes | 42% | 34 votes | Total: 81 votes | |
| No | 58% | 47 votes |
Yes
by Corban Burns
Created on: May 16, 2009 Last Updated: May 31, 2009
Let's all face it; the Japanese car companies have proven that they are more business savvy than the American automakers! So in terms of business smarts, who wouldn't seize hold of this great business venture. Everywhere you turn, Americans are going "green" and when the Big Three fall there will only be one place to satisfy the demand for hybrids in America. "Forcing" hybrids on America would be extremely smart and beneficial for the Japanese car companies.
It was estimated in 2007 that one third or thirty-three percent of Americans have a Japanese manufactured car. Why? Well let's analyze how the Japanese operate and then compare them to the American car companies.
The Japanese closely observe the American car buyer. They wisely take note of what the American car buyer likes, dislikes, and wants to see in their new car. Now with this valuable information, the Japanese simply give American consumers what they want! Toyota and Honda have made it a habit to also throw in an intriguing body style, a more powerful engine, and better gas mileage. Thus, the cars they build become an immediate success.
On the other hand, take for instance, GM, Ford, Cadillac, and other American car companies. They prefer to build SUVs with bad gas mileage and a top that, they give them a high price tag. (In recent commercial ads I have seen at the bottom of the screen in fine print that you are expected and required to have a $5,000 down payment due upon signing. Who can come up with that kind of money?) However, for some odd reason, they are quite shocked when they see a large drop in profits. It's not hard to see. Consumers on a global scale want a better car and American car companies have shown themselves unable to produce a good vehicle for their customers!
Let's also consider the spending habits and overall money management of both the Big Three and the Japanese car companies,Toyota and Honda.
If you look at the past examples, the history books will show that the Big Three and all the other American car companies had and still have bad budgeting habits. For instance, the Big Three have too much overhead. A glance at their financial book would show millions and millions of dollars wasted on raises and bonuses for CEOs, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Chairmen of the Board, Directors and etc. However, this money would be better spent it if was used to upgrade the factories in which the American cars are made. If the factories were equipped with better manufacturing tools, maybe the cars would perform better.
Now take, for example, the Japanese car companies. They are thriving for many reasons, but a large part can be attributed to their wise saving habits and ability to stick to a planned budget.
Toyota and Honda are known for their economic sedans - the Camry and the Civic - which are now very successful as hybrids, as well. But the Camry and Civic are more than just a budget-friendly hybrid for the American consumers. It is a reflection of the Toyota and Honda Companies. They are always thinking of ways to save money, not just for themselves but also for their customers.
Also, remember how we talked about the Big Three and their big bonuses that they dish out on an annual basis? Well, even though Toyota and Honda are prosperous companies, they do not splurge and raise the salaries and budget for the next year. Rather, they try to see where they can cut back so expenses are on a minimal basis. Nevertheless, they continue to increase the satisfaction of their cars and customer service.
Basically, all of these differences between the Big Three and Toyota/Honda are what sets them so far apart. And Toyota and Honda are winning the race!
Learn more about this author, Corban Burns.
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No
by Miranda Pierson
Created on: January 03, 2010
While Japanese cars have been known to work with great efficiency, this is not an indication that if the Big Three fail, Japan will force hybrids on America. Hybrids are beneficial cars because they have the ability to run more efficiently, utilizing a combination of gasoline and electricity. Therefore, they obtain better gas milage, and in that respect, are less expensive. Although the economy is not doing well during this period of time, and the quantity of hybrid cars purchased has increased, this still has not caused the hybrid car to remain the dominate type of automobile. Even if the Big Three fail, Japan will not force hybrids on America because only Americans know which types of cars they desire to drive.
The Big Three consist of Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. These car companies have been dominant in the United States for years. However, in recent times, the Big Three are no longer as popular as they once were. People no longer idolize Ford as the ideal brand that can provide a car for every individual. Instead, people have become fascinated with foreign cars and luxury cars. Also, General Motors and Chrysler have completely decreased in popularity, to the extent that seeing these brands advertised would possess the potential to represent that of an anomaly. Therefore, in terms of the general definition of failure, it is not completely inaccurate to state that the Big Three have already failed.
When hybrids were first introduced, not a significant amount of people rushed to purchase them. At the time of their invention, gasoline was still relatively reasonably priced, environmental concerns were not as prominent, and people did not consider the idea that gasoline would someday be inefficient. Also, hybrids represented a difference in the regular mechanism of cars. Nevertheless, people are usually apprehensive about purchasing a piece of technology that they have no prior experience with, especially when the present piece of technology is not causing any problem. Gasoline cars functioned fine for most Americans, and no one spent a large amount of time considering the environmental effects of its use. Hybrid cars, in this respect, did not seem necessary. Therefore, only a minority of people decided to purchase them.
The small amount of people that purchased the hybrid cars did not allow them to become popular. Instead, this action just represented that of a prosaic occurrence. Simply, that some people chose to purchase a different type of car. In fact, for most people, hybrid cars did not seem any different from ordinary cars because information regarding their features was not widely known. However, when people began to learn more about conserving the natural resources, and protecting the environment, this is when the functions of the hybrid car became more prominent. With the constant emphasis on environmental issues, high gas prices, and the state of the economy, hybrid cars have become more popular than they were in the past. Yet this slight increase in popularity is not indicative of a significant turn of events.
Japan has not forced hybrids on America. Certainly, some of the best hybrid cars are Japanese brands, yet other brands make hybrids as well. Only Americans know what they want. They choose to purchase either Japanese hybrids or other hybrids, depending on the car that most effectively corresponds to their desires. In fact, some Americans do not even purchase hybrids at all. Nevertheless, although Japan can help to influence the decision of which hybrids are best to purchase, they do not force these cars on America. In many respects, the Big Three have already failed, yet Japan still remains an influence, but not a dominating force.
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