Until the U.S. automakers can get rid of the UAW, it will be difficult for them to become profitable EVER and the only way to stay afload will be to merge, merge, merge.....then later on, merge again! This incredibly powerful union is no longer needed and w/out it, the big 3 could probably pay relatively high wages but without all the extra union bullsh!t that drives up the overall cost of every fvcking vehicle they make. Toyota is a perfect example of this....making vehicles in the US, no unions, OK wages, quality vehicles=profitability (I'm oversimplifying obviously but you see what I'm getting at)

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'04 2wd with PRG stuff......



"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Feb. 28, 2008

I agree that the union and the auto manufacturers need to rethink their relationships, but I don't believe that is the sole reason for their falling sales.
Prepare for opinionizing by an Ol'Coot:
For decades, the auto makers have had things their own way. Almost a monopoly, one could say. Either buy Big Three or walk..... Quality of their products slipped. Badly. They produced shoddy goods. The image that resulted is still with them today. From the inroads that "foreign" manufactures have been able to make, a lot of people still think that Detroit can't or won't produce a quality vehicle. I still feel that way, whether it is true or not.....
Perception, not necessarily truth, is reality

no, not at all....i just took a second to vent and point out one of the differences between foreign and domestic automakers that most people overlook ... but I agree with your post

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'04 2wd with PRG stuff......



"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." --George W. Bush, Feb. 28, 2008

No problem! Just ranting myself.......LOL!

Despite those opinions, it's hard to figure out why, with better options available, that Americans still stick to the F-150 like glue.

I get the sinking feeling that Americans in general are in the mold of: "Quit trying to confuse me with facts! My mind is already made-up!"

Kinda like the Prez, who refused to face reality that there really was evidence of global warming and things we as a Nation could do.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Sadly, I have to agree with you.

Around here it's all about tradition! My daddy drives a Ford, My granddaddy drives a ford, my Great Granddaddy drove a Ford and his Daddy drove a Ford and BY golly if I want to stay in the Will I'm driving a Ford! (Chevy, John Deere, Budweiser and Marlboro can be inserted for Ford if applicable)