Why are Japanese automakers better than American?
The title of this post is inflammatory, though I don’t intend it to be. My focus today is on fuel economy, and the methods that different automakers are using to improve it. Look at companies like Honda and Toyota – both have proven that hybrid technology, when used properly in an efficient setup, can improve fuel economy drastically. They both produce compact hybrids that achieve fuel economy in the mid-high 40’s mpg – real world.
What does Detroit have to offer? No compact car hybrids at all – not one. The only hybrid cars they offer are mild hybrids ( GM’s Saturn Aura Hybrid and Chevy Malibu Hybrid ). These cars barely offer better fuel economy than their gas-only counterparts, and are certainly no match for Japan’s midsize hybrid offerings. Ford does offer the Escape Hybrid ( and it’s Mercury Mariner twin ) – small SUV hybrids that I applaud. They are the most fuel-efficient SUV’s in America, and excellent vehicles. But nothing, at all, on the car front. There’s no need to even look over at Chrysler, because they currently have no hybrid offerings.
Most of the Big 2.5’s focus has been on “flex-fuel”, or Ethanol E85 capable vehicles. I’ve touched on my thoughts about that in my Ethanol vs Hybrids post, so I won’t go too in-depth there. There is little to no demand for these vehicles, because they offer no tangible benefit to the consumer – none. In fact, when used with E85, gas mileage suffers, so there is in fact a penalty for using these vehicles as designed. Not so with a hybrid.
Japanese automakers are better than American automakers because they listen. They listen to what the consumer is saying, and build what the consumer is asking for. I have owned several American cars in my time, but I don’t know when I’ll own another. For the first time in a long time, there are two Japanese cars in my driveway ( two Hondas, one of which is a hybrid ). Until Detroit starts listening, and builds a car that I want to buy, I’m not buying American. I hope they wake up before too much longer, before they’re no longer relevant.
Filed under: Ramblings
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