Automotive Future
 

Where do you think the automotive industry is going? . . .What do you think will happen to the structure of the industry's current leading brands? . . .Who do you think will rise up from the bottom of the pack? Who will have to fold as a result of the competion?

IMHO . . . I think it's clear that Toyota/Lexus/Scion are going to continue gaining market share, which will lead Toyota to be the undisputed God of the automotive industry. . . . Ford & GMC will have to get serious about there product, because there "domestic brand loyality" will run-out . . . i think they will continue to build links (projects) with Japanese car makers just to stay afloat. . . .As long as Mercedes brings up its reliability to a fair margin, they will always in my opinion have a successful following, based on their rich history.

The biggest change in the near future will be how Hybrids and Electric cars will out number Gassers . . . I also think that small personal cars (1 person only) will be produced and roads lanes will be split in two! :idea: ... All in order to combat urban traffic problems

That's just some of my thoughts :)

As soon as I find a way to explit physics and create the ultimate batter, electric cars will be the only way to go and fossil fuel burning will be outlawed :)

Roads will have built in magnetic guides so we have cars that can drive themselves, the system is already there, just no money to implement it :)

xp

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I have a 1960 Ford Buyer's guide where the author predicted automatic cars that will follow a guide system built into the roads, maintain speed and safe spacing, and delivery you to your exit while the driver relaxes with his passengers.

All this was to happen in 20 years, or by the 1980s.

Atleast we have the technology now . . . but as "XP-190" said, we still need the money :rolleyes:

But than again, would you want a computer to do the driving for you? . . .if this was the case, there would no longer be any "driving", it would just be programing a destination. The Joy of driving would die! :rolleyes:


BTW . . . is that a "racing stripe" i spy on the red electric car? :rolleyes:

Toyota will rule the world. For some reason they can sell cars at sticker unlike GM and Ford.

From my observations at the NY Auto show, all cars are very similer. They pretty much are all going for that bar of soap look.

Well . . . i think there is an obvious reason why Toyota can sell cars for sticker price ---> Reliability . . . since many car companies are losing their flavor . . . people seem to care more and more about Reliability . .. because that's the only thing that distinguishes cars nowadays. It's either pay at the dealer or pay at the shop :rolleyes2

Although we do have more choices than ever when buying a car, it seems like we still have to compromise between Reliability, Performance & Style. :(

Toyota doesn't have several decades of retired autoworkers and a huge pension outlay! That is what ails GM today.

It all depends on oil. When the prices start getting into the teens for a gallon then you'll start to see change and money will be made available for change. $5-$10 a gallon will not do it, after all the europeans have had these prices and still drive gas/oil combustion cars. When it gets to $18-19 look out. Its either change or ground to an economic halt. I'm betting on change.

As for GM they are hoping to ride this until the pensioners die off. But don't they still have the baby boomers to contend with? What happens when they start to retire?

I'm betting on invasion of OPEC nations! :rifle:

I think the status quo will be maintained for many, many years to come. Fuel prices will rise and fall, probably getting higher each time until the oil barrons find the limit that they can sell at. They will never price themselves out of the market (so high that lazy people change their habits).

As far as manufacturers go. I wouldn't drive a domestic car (not truck or SUV) if it was free. Ford, GM, and Dodge just cannot compete on design, price, reliability, or any other aspect. Their sedans are ugly, I haven't seen a good-looking Ford sedan since..... (and I am/was a die-hard Ford fan).

I don't know where the domestics let it get away, but they are way off and losing ground.

Paul X.

That's because Toyota is building cars that are actually WORTH the price they ask for them. Unfortunately, American automakers are not doing that, for the most part. Chrysler is the possible recent exception to this "rule"....this is probably due in great part to Chrysler's association with Mercedes.....Meanwhile, Mercedes has declined in quality and market share. *confused*....why that is happenning is anyone's guess, but..... ???

I've never been a fan of Japanese cars overall, but that's just a matter of personal taste/preference. The bottom like is that the Japanese car companies are obviously kicking the US companies' a$$es when it comes to quality, workmanship, and styling. They are providing a superiour product for the money, and as one would expect, the market is responding by snapping them up in record numbers.

Mike

You can clearly see the German influence in the new Chrysler 300's. If you pop the hood MB DNA is everywhere, from where they stick the ABS, run the coolant lines, air intake ect. The Germans are making some of the best "American" cars on the market now.

Except the new Dodge Charger, they jacked the front seats up so high to give it an SUV feel. But it just feels like the seat is way to high and you want to adjust it down but can't. If you are tall don't even bother looking at one.