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[MaxV6]

1) there are a sizeable number of markets where giving anything an american brand name will be the kiss of death ....

2) your proposal completely ignores regional labour costs

[chrisgixer]

sails[/highlight] of them than they are?

Are GM going into yachting 

How can you get picky when you can't even highlight? Ya numpty!

[05omegav6]

1) there are a sizeable number of markets where giving anything an american brand name will be the kiss of death ....

2) your proposal completely ignores regional labour costs

1. Perhaps...but do Ford or GM already have a share of those markets? Probably...

2. Not really... is it actually any cheaper/more expensive to produce a car in the US/Canada/UK/Brazil/Thailand once shipping of either materials/products is factored in?

[MaxV6]

err, yes....   labour costs are hugely different..

[MaxV6]

that's why everything is made in china these days....   

[05omegav6]

that's why everything is made in china these days....   

Almost everything...

Name one Chinese owned car manufacturer the successfully and viably exports cars overseas....

For the record, I have only seen one MG6 on the road

[henryd]

that's why everything is made in china these days....   

Almost everything...

Name one Chinese owned car manufacturer the successfully and viably exports cars overseas....

For the record, I have only seen one MG6 on the road

bit like the shitty city rover then,rare and with good reason

[05omegav6]

Another observation...

If producing cars elsewhere is sooo much cheaper, why do Toyota, Nissan and Honda manufacture many of their European models in Europe

[MaxV6]

assorted punitive duty regulations brought in to protect the uncompetitive native car industry, meant it made sense to make locally....  also, shipping manufactured vehicles around the world is inefficient and costly , relative to shipping piles of bits....   then of course there's the sea salt , and extended delivery time on custom options.



one can only hope China never really gets to grips with car manufacture.... 

[albitz]

Another observation...

If producing cars elsewhere is sooo much cheaper, why do Toyota, Nissan and Honda manufacture many of their European models in Europe

Import quotas.

[05omegav6]

assorted punitive duty regulations brought in to protect the uncompetitive native car industry, meant it made sense to make locally....  also, shipping manufactured vehicles around the world is inefficient and costly , relative to shipping piles of bits....   then of course there's the sea salt , and extended delivery time on custom options.



one can only hope China never really gets to grips with car manufacture.... 

So what would be so wrong with a totally free global market with several manufacturing groups? Namely GM, VAG, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar/Land Rover and Kia/Hyundai, all producing global ranges.

[albitz]

Because in Europe it would probably kill the French car industry because they produce overpriced poor quality shite.
Because in the U.S. ............Same thing.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I see your point Al, as I've never understood why car manufacturers go through the costly process of developing different cars for different countries.    After all we're all people at the end of the day with similar wants and needs, wherever we are from.  Although there are niche markets such as the big pickup trucks in the US or the Australian Ute. 

You'd think it would make sense to produce one range of vehicles that are then sold globally, maybe with slight differences to meet local regulations and with a local brand.... 

[Rods2]

assorted punitive duty regulations brought in to protect the uncompetitive native car industry, meant it made sense to make locally....  also, shipping manufactured vehicles around the world is inefficient and costly , relative to shipping piles of bits....   then of course there's the sea salt , and extended delivery time on custom options.



one can only hope China never really gets to grips with car manufacture....

They are already making inroads and are selling globally Google "Great Wall Motors", yes they sell in the UK and other European countries, There are also other Chinese manufacturers who are building a presence in the UK and Europe. So like the Koreans a few years ago, they are on their way.

Like Korea they will not match European manufacturers for quality, design or safety, they will be sold on price, but they will catch up. Their domestic market is huge which is where they earn their bread and butter, which will provide the R&D money.

It is inevitable that some European manufacturers will merge / disappear. The obvious casualties are Peugeot, Renault and Fiat as their cars are in no-mans land on price, design, street cred and reliability. GM Europe are also by no means secure.

Local tastes dictate that care are localised for particular markets. What tends to happen with their mass market models is that they are variations of a core floor / platform.

[Sir Tigger KC]

So like the Koreans a few years ago, they are on their way.

Like Korea they will not match European manufacturers for quality, design or safety, they will be sold on price, but they will catch up.

I think that there are some pretty decent cars coming out of Korea these days.  I bought a Kia C'eed in the auctions to sell on last year and I really liked it, it went well, handled well and had a really good level of trim. 

A friend was over from the States recently and had a Hyundai i40 and he was impressed, as was I, as he's a dyed in the wool VAG man!! 

If I was in the market for a new car I'd certainly consider Kia or Hyundai, especially with the massive warranties they offer.  If Chinese manufacturers follow Korea's example they could be a force to contend with in future!