For this unit, we will be discussing the effects of globalization on the American automobile industry.
This discussion will force students to consider the costs and benefits of an international approach to manufacturing, as well as how consumer tastes and popular culture influence the auto market.
Our required current events readings will include "Which is More American?," (USA Today, March 22, 2007) and "Detriot's Bumpy Ride," (New York Times Upfront, April 16, 2007).
We will view the motion picture comedy "Gung Ho," in order to explore how consumer attitudes toward foreign and domestic automobiles have changed over the last twenty years.
Your first assignment is to post a thoughtful comment about our study of this topic in class. Your comments must advance our discussion through questions and relevant information. I will be monitoring our discussion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
According to our discussion in class this week, what do you think are the most important factors shaping the US automobile market today?
Check out this required reading that we started to discuss in class from USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-03-22-american-usat_n.htm
Americans are buying Japanese cars because they offer a better quality for a similiar price compared to American cars.
Gung Ho was good. Basing my answer on the movie, I'd say the most important factors are speed and precision. If you don't make enough cars quickly, another company might come out with something better and your cars will be old news. Also, if the quality is low, you won't sell many cars either.
Speed and precision is certainly part of it. In fact, that is one of the main qualities of Asian-Pacific auto manufacturers that many other industries could find so threatening--threatening because if company like Honda or Toyota is the source of innovation and new standards of quality, other car manufacturers have to react to that situation. Of course, the next question is "What do American car manufacturers do to compete on global playing field?"
I dont think it was always like this, in the beginning I'm sure that many people felt that the american cars were the faster, better cars. The japanese had to work up their reputation from nothing and have done so quite successfully. I think that it would have been very easy for american car companies to compete, they just didn't have it in them. That's why the american car companies are failing in the US.
Wow this thing works now...anyway, speed and precision are always valuable in any industry, however, I believe that overall build quality and being able to adapt to the global market place are more important. The Japanese and German car makers are producing smaller, more refined, more eco-friendly and more visually appealing cars, while America is still locked into the "bigger is better" mentality.
Well put, George. In fact, I can remember during the 1980s that Japanese cars were considered "cheap" imitations of American cars by adults, and cheap really meant low quality. Consumer tastes have certainly changed for many people. Sometime along the line, many people grew fed up with the cars made by American-based manufacturers, took and chance on those "cheap" Japanese cars (some, by the way, which were already partially built in America) and were rewarded with a higher-performing car with a lot less repair costs.
Sugar cane easily yields the most energy, so there really isn't a reason that we arent using it. If we can put in only a small amount of money and gain a very large, and important source of energy, we should do it as soon as humanly possible. Hey if someone said that I could give them a dollar and they would give me a 20 i'd do it.
Dear Earthlings of the Planet Earth,
There are many notable factors currently shaping the US automobile market. The main factor being the moves made by the foreign car manufacturers. American automakers tend to react based on the moves of these foreign competitors. For over sixty years, the US dominated the car market. Since there was no real competition, improvements in quality and innovation lacked. This helped the foreign automakers get into the market, compete. and even dominate. Now the US manufacturers seem to playing "catch-up" with the foreign companies to re-establish themselves as the top automakers in the world. It was not until the US automakers were challenged [last ten years], that real effort was put into innovation and change, thus shaping the entire US auto industry. "Green" standards including the reduction of carbon emissions are brining about the debut of hybrid vehicles in both the US and international markets. High gas prices have also shaped the US auto industry in that there are now a lot more high MGP vehicles on the road. Foreign competitors, carbon emissions and gas prices are all helping to shape the US auto market today.
Yeah Sully!
*** THIS IS KEVIN ADAMS' RESPONSE ***
Dear Friends of the Earth,
I think that for the most part the environment is privately owned. I can see a future where every bit of air, water, petroleum, and land are privately owned. A solution to the global warming delemma and privatization of the environment may be Allowing a safe amount of carbon to be emitted, and private specialists able to compete for shares of allowed carbon emission. Ideally the amount of carbon emission allowed would be a safely and carefully calculated number, determined by public officials.. I hope the environment is in good hands!
* I (Kevin Adams) forgot my passoword, that's why I'm posting under Pat's name *
Post a Comment