I will still never buy anyone of those cars.

 

automotive superiority and the number of cars sold is not the samething

 

Add the Kappas to the list. Yes, in many ways they are not be as good as the Miata or S2000 but that doesn't mean they aren't fun to drive. They at least have real, RWD chassis that are designed for handling. The CTS-V is certainly more than just a big motor.
Also under the GM roof are a number of good cars from over seas (the new Monero(sp?), the Astra, SAABs etc.

 

I am not liking where Toyota is heading despite its growth

First, there's a notable increase in serious problems that warrant recalls. Second, they are cutting corner in interior quality despite making historical revenue and profit. Now, according to Left Lane (link), its staff are "quiting in an alarming rate" due to over work.

I like them better when they were more focused and commited to quality. It seems now they are more growth and profit driven as they milk on their "quality" reputation.

 

no, i think that was (one of) the problems... they built gas guzzling trucks and forgot how to build fuel efficient cars...

the other thing are the unions... im not gonna get into that... for a nation that prides itself on Laissez-faire capitalism... it was a shameful way to go...

 

You may not want to get into the union thing, but your statement ignores a lot of history. The auto worker unions of today may be asking too much for what they give, but their historical significance for the middle class is beyond question. Heck, even children unionized when child labor was still legal. Unions have served very good purposes historically. The UAW of today is a symbol of a group that lost its way some time ago.

As for other causes of GM's problems - beyond the UAW - it was the "full line of cars" ethos that they latched onto for each brand in the 70s, thus producing innumerable copies of other divisions' cars, much of which still exists today, though less directly. At least now they're diversifying some options to specific brands and trying new engine designs. But the product lineup is still an issue, and was the core problem in the 70, 80s and 90s.

As always, as the saying sort of goes, it's the content stupid. If the content sucks, so will sales. GM has finally realized this.

As for Toyota, the signs they are too big are already surfacing, #1 placement or not. There's a story on Leftlane right now about their managerial brain drain, overworked staff, and project managment issues. They realize they have issues, and seem to have a plan to change. But they're already feeling the pains of being #1, and it's only been a day. I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather be a make like Ferrari than the top rank in my industry for sales. I'd rather be wanted than in everybody's garage. But I can't say GM's #1 standing wasn't some source of national pride...for a while anyways.

 

[QUOTE=QUIKAG,Apr 24 2007, 10:15 AM] Actually, I am clown.

 

Anybody want to guess how long until a Chinese company passes Toyota? 30 years? 20?

 

I'd bet never.

 

I am guessing you haven't driven either of those caddies. Having some seat time in ctsv, the car is absolutely wonderful to drive. Steering is more precise than my s4 and not to mention the extra umph. Only bad things I noticed were the lousy shifter and somewhat sub par interior compared to the s4. I have noticed from your previous posts that you seem to put down gm vehicles so regardless what they make it ain't gonna please you.